Information about COVID-19 (Coronavirus) #4

18 May, 2020

Restrictions eased in JBT

A new Public Health (Jervis Bay Territory) Emergency Direction (No.3) was issued on 15 May 2020, to bring the JBT in line with the recent easing of restrictions already in place in NSW. Under these Directions, residents now have more flexibility to visit other households and public spaces. However, given the Territory’s zero cases of COVID-19, the Australian Government strongly encourages everyone to continue to be vigilant during this time and maintain social distancing and good hygiene. We all have a part to play in keeping our community safe and healthy and protecting people who are particularly vulnerable.

What does this mean for you?

Gatherings

The limit on public gatherings has been increased from two people to 10. This does not apply if you are:

• all from the same household
• providing emergency assistance
• providing care or assistance to a vulnerable person
• gathered for the purposes of work
• moving house or workplace
• viewing or inspecting real estate property or a display home to purchase or lease
• fulfilling a legal obligation (including court or tribunal, satisfying bail requirements or participating in legal proceedings).

The 10-person limit also does not apply if you are gathered for the purpose of:

• a Wedding - a wedding service must not have more than 10 wedding guests (excluding the people being married, the people necessary for the conduct of, or assisting in the conduct of, the service and one photographer or one videographer or both)
• an indoor funeral or memorial service - no more than 20 people allowed (excluding the people necessary for the conduct of, or assisting in the conduct of, the service such as the funeral celebrant or minister of religion and funeral directors)
• an outdoor funeral or memorial service - no more than 30 people allowed (excluding the people necessary for the conduct of, or assisting in the conduct of, the service such as the funeral celebrant or minister of religion and funeral directors)
• a religious service at which there are no more than 10 people (excluding the people necessary for the conduct of, or assisting in the conduct of, the service).

Playgrounds and swimming pools

Playgrounds are now opening to the public, permitting social distancing. Indoor swimming pools remain closed.

Visiting households

Adult members of a residence must ensure that they avoid overcrowding in their household by not allowing more than five visitors to enter or stay at any one time. Remember, a person is not counted as a visitor if they are a member of the household being visited, or if they are there for caring responsibilities.

Holidays

People cannot come into the territory for a holiday and you are still not allowed to take a holiday interstate, such as in NSW.

Spitting or coughing

People are also warned not to intentionally spit at or cough on a public official, other worker or any one at all. Local police will enforce all restrictions as needed, so please do the right thing.

JBT residents should continue to follow Australian Government and state and territory government advice, including on travel restrictions, health, hygiene, social distancing and self-isolation. These instruments are in place until further notice and are available in full here: www.regional.gov.au/territories/jervis_bay/community/bulletins/bulletins-2020/index.aspx

Feeling unwell?

• If you have serious and severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, call 000 for urgent medical assistance
• Call the National Coronavirus Helpline, 24 hours a day on 1800 020 080
• A COVID-19 Assessment Clinic is located at Shoalhaven Hospital in the Home (HITH) area. Entry to the clinic is via the Shoalhaven Street driveway. The clinic is open from 8:30am to 4.30pm, seven days a week.
  Phone: 1300 002 108
• For general information on COVID-19 visit healthdirect.gov.au/coronavirus or www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19
• Need support? Call the Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511

Remember

• Good hygiene (wash hands frequently, cover your coughs, avoiding touching face, put tissues straight into a bin, clean objects and surfaces regularly).
• Know how to self-isolate if you need to (you must self-isolate for 14 days if you have COVID-19, you have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, you arrived in Australia after midnight on 15 March 2020).
• The Booderee National Park closure has been extended and will remain closed to visitors and non-essential travellers until 24 May 2020.

More information

For up-to-date information on COVID-19, consult the Australian Government Department of Health website or call the Coronavirus Health Information Line 1800 020 080. The line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you require translating or interpreting services, please call 131 450.

Jervis Bay Territory Administration