Responding to COVID-19

With some misinformation currently circulating, here is (at 5pm 27/07/2020) the most up to date information from trusted government bodies including the State and Federal governments.  

 

National Coronavirus Helpline: 1800 020 080

Federal Government COVID-19 Website:

https://www.australia.gov.au/

Please visit the website above for the Commonwealth's most up to date information on the current COVID-19 pandemic.

WhatsApp 

In addition to the apps developed by the Federal government, they have also rolled out a WhatsApp chat for more specific questions that you may have. You can find the WhatsApp channel here or on iOS or Android.

Australian border restrictions

  • From the 20th of March, only Australian citizens, residents and immediate family can travel to Australia. All other travellers are banned from entering
  • From midnight on the 28th of March, Australian citizens, residents and their immediate family arriving in Australia will go into a mandatory two-week quarantine (in places like hotels). For example, if someone lives in Brisbane and returns to Australia through Sydney, they will have to spend two weeks in quarantine in Sydney
  • These rules will be enforced by state police, and the Australian Defence Force will help ensure people are staying in quarantine

Queensland Border Restrictions (Interstate)

  • From 12.01 pm 10 July 2020, any person travelling from New South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory may enter Queensland subject to completing and signing a border declaration and undertaking (an agreement) to comply with mandatory COVID-19 testing requirements whilst in Queensland.
  • This means you must take a COVID-19 test if you develop any symptoms consistent with COVID-19 within 14 days of entering Queensland.
  • Any person who has been in a declared COVID-19 hotspot (including Victoria) within the last 14 days will not be permitted to enter Queensland, unless they are:
    • a Queensland resident returning home, subject to government directed quarantine at their own cost
    • a person performing an essential activity - essential activities are determined by the Chief Health Officer and are limited to national defence and security, emergency services, transport of freight, time critical specialist workers, or airline or maritime crew. These people will not be required to quarantine but are subject to additional restrictions and requirements
    • to fulfil a legal obligation relating to shared parenting or child access
    • a person required for Court, Tribunal or law enforcement purposes in Queensland, subject to government directed quarantine at their own cost
    • a person transiting through a Queensland airport without leaving the airport or quarantines until the time of their flight to leave Queensland
    • a person escaping an immediate serious threat to their safety, e.g. sexual or domestic violence or accessing domestic and family violence support services
    • a higher education and boarding school students and staff members, including a parent or guardian accompanying a student who is a minor, subject to government directed quarantine at their own cost.
  • People seeking to move to Queensland to make it their new place of residence will not be permitted to enter Queensland if they have been in a COVID-19 hotspot.

Queensland Border Restrictions (Queensland residents)

  • If you are a Queensland resident returning to Queensland from overseas, you must quarantine for 14 days.
  • If you are a Queensland resident returning home and you have been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the previous 14 days, you will be allowed to enter Queensland, but you will be subject to government directed quarantine at your own cost.
  • Even if you are a Queensland resident, you will need to complete a Queensland Border Declaration Pass prior to entering. Border passes remain valid for 7 days only from the day of declaration is made or if circumstances change (see section 7 of the Border restrictions Direction (No. 8)).

Family, friends and community

  • Private, non-commercial (e.g. home) gatherings of up to
    100 with friends and family
  • Weddings and funerals (max 100 people)§
  • Maximum number of persons at museums, art galleries,
    libraries and historic sites determined by the one person
    per 4 square metre rule
  • Sport, recreation and fitness organisations when
    following a COVID Safe Industry Plan: resumption of activity including competition and
    physical contact is permitted on the field of play
  • indoor sports facilities can open with one person
    per 4 square metres (off the field of play)
  • outdoor sports facilities can open with physical
    distancing (off the field of play).
    Businesses and economy
  • Maximum number of customers for a business at any one
    time is determined by the 4 square metre rule
  • For smaller venues below 200 square metres, businesses
    can have one person per 2 square metres up to
    50 persons at a time
  • The following businesses and areas may re-open with
    a COVID Safe Plan:
    • casinos, gaming and gambling venues
      (including electronic gaming machines)
    • non-therapeutic massage^
    • saunas and bathhouses^
    • nightclubs
    • food courts
    • Office-based workers can return to their place of work
    • Up to 25,000 spectators or 50% of capacity (whichever
      is the lesser) at Queensland’s Major Sports Facilities,
      with a COVID Safe Plan
    • Concert venues, theatres and auditoriums can open and
      have up to 50% capacity or one person per 4 square
      metres (whichever is the greater), with a COVID Safe Plan
  • More events allowed:
    • fewer than 500 people – no approval needed when
      following a COVID Safe Event Checklist
    • 500 to 10,000 people – need a COVID Safe Event Plan
      approved by local public health units
    • over 10,000 people – need a COVID Safe Event Plan
      approved by the Queensland Chief Health Officer
    • COVID Safe Industry Plans continue to apply with
      revisions to reflect changes in Stage 3. COVID Safe
      Checklists continue to apply.

Important Isolation Information

Self-quarantine

Queensland Health is continuing to work with the Australian Border Force to screen anyone who returns to Australia from overseas for symptoms of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and provide them with information on self-quarantine.

If you have been overseas in the last 14 days and are feeling unwell, call your doctor immediately.

If you have been overseas and are feeling well, you need to self-quarantine for 14 days from the date you arrived in Australia.

You must also self-quarantine if you have been in close contact with someone who already has novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

While you’re self-quarantining, if you start to feel unwell and develop any symptoms at all, but especially a fever or shortness of breath, a cough or a respiratory illness, you should seek immediate medical attention. Call ahead to your GP and tell them your travel history so they can prepare for your visit.

For more information, visit the Australian Government website.

What does self-quarantine mean?

Self-quarantine means staying in your home, hotel room or provided accommodation, and not leaving for the period you are required to quarantine. Only people who usually live in the household should be in the home. Do not allow visitors into the home.

Does this mean my family or other people I live with need to self-quarantine?

The rest of your household does not need to self-quarantine if you stay away from others in your home. They are only required to self-quarantine if they meet one of the criteria for self-quarantine outlined above.

As much as possible, you should:

  • stay in a room away from others
  • sleep in a separate bedroom
  • use a separate bathroom

Also, don't allow visitors.

Practice good hygiene and maintain a minimum of 1.5 metres distance.

Vulnerable people, like those over the age of 60 with chronic disease, should stay somewhere else.

See more information about self-quarantine (PDF) from the Australian Government.

How do I get things I need while in self-quarantine?

Community recovery support and assistance is available through the Department of Communities, Disability Services and Seniors, for Queenslanders in self-quarantine due to COVID19. If you require assistance please call the Community Recovery hotline 1800 173 349.

The Queensland Government is also partnering with the Australian Red Cross, to ensure people have access to support during their period of self-quarantine. This service includes a regular telephone call to check-in on the person’s wellbeing and to identify any practical support they may need help with.

People who are self-quarantined must call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) for further advice and to register for support. Staff at 13 HEALTH can connect people through to a local public health unit and other health support services.

What happens when I end my 14 days of self-quarantine?

If you have self-quarantined for 14 days without any symptoms, you are free to go about your usual activities and return to work, school, childcare, TAFE and university.

If you require a medical certificate, you will need to see a GP.

You should seek medical attention immediately if you develop symptoms while in self-quarantine.