Relevant: Jervis Bay Territory residents and visitors
Topic: COVID update for Jervis Bay Territory
The Department is working closely with health authorities, the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council (WBACC) and local stakeholders to respond to the evolving COVID-19 situation in the Jervis Bay Territory (JBT), following the confirmation of three positive cases in Wreck Bay on 19 October.
Those affected, and their families, are in quarantine and being well supported by NSW Health and local Aboriginal health and support services.
These are the first COVID-19 cases in JBT. Until now, cases in the surrounding Shoalhaven area resulted in close contacts at exposure sites in the JBT, but no community transmission.
Health authorities are working closely with the Wreck Bay community including putting in place pop-up testing clinics in Wreck Bay on 19 October and 21 October. Additional testing clinics may be scheduled as needed, based on health advice.
When a JBT resident is confirmed as COVID-19 positive, then specific instructions are being provided to that person. If you are identified as a contact of a positive case, health authorities may direct you to get tested and isolate at home.
If you have any signs or symptoms at all, please get tested immediately and isolate at home until you receive your result and advice from NSW Health. It is also really important to practise physical distancing and good hand hygiene.
For information on exposure sites in the JBT, go to https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/territories-regions-cities/territories/jervis-bay-territory/coronavirus-response where you can also find all information on the COVID-19 response in the territory, including current restrictions.
A range of restrictions to limit movement and gathering sizes and require face-mask wearing currently apply to the JBT to keep our community safe. While JBT residents are no longer required to stay at home, to continue to protect yourself and your community, you’re encouraged to only travel where essential, particularly now with the local transmission. You can leave the JBT and enter the Shoalhaven local government area. However, the rest of NSW remains an affected area for the JBT.
If you travel outside of the Shoalhaven, you will need to get tested and to quarantine for 14 days on your return to the JBT.
The best protection we have against COVID-19 is vaccination, particularly for Elders and those with underlying health conditions. If you have not yet received your COVID vaccination, please book an appointment as soon as possible (see https://www.islhd.health.nsw.gov.au/services-clinics/public-health-unit/infectious-diseases/covid-19-latest-advice-and-resources-7 for further information). Our local JBT vaccination program, run over the past two months in partnership with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) and WBACC, saw hundreds of vaccine doses delivered to a range of community members, relatives, local workers and contractors over three clinics.