The current travel restrictions on charter flights and ferries between the mainland and Groote Eylandt/Bickerton Island have been extended until 6pm Wednesday 24th November.

In addition all inbound travellers on commercial flights must be fully vaccinated and return a negative rapid antigen test prior to boarding.

For details, see

• the attachment CEO letter
• notice of 19th November (in Anindilyakwa: Groote Archipelago - Emergency COVID-19 lockdown (Anindilyakwa)
• notice of 18th November (Groote Archipelago - Emergency COVID-19 lockdown)

From 12pm on Tuesday 16th November, the whole of NT is subject to mask-wearing requirements, and the Katherine/Robinson River lockdown has been extended until Monday 22nd November.

Mask rules:

• You must wear a face mask outside of your home when you are unable to maintain a physical distance of 1.5 metres - this includes at places like the supermarket and shops
• Workers who come into close contact with patrons, or who work in crowded environments need to wear a mask
• People at restaurants, cafes and pubs must wear a mask unless eating or drinking.

For more information see the attachment and these links:

• NT Chief Health Officer direction
• Current lockdown map
• Mask rules for all NT and lockdown details for Katherine and Robinson River & surrounding Homelands

From 6pm on Monday 15th November, greater Katherine and Robinson River (including surrounding homelands) is into a lockdown for 72 hours. People are only allowed to leave home for the following reasons:

• Medical treatment
• Essential goods and services
• Essential work
• One hour of exercise a day no further than 5km from home
• To provide care to a person who cannot support themselves.

Vaccination and Testing Arrangements

A Rapid Assessment Team has been dispatched to Robinson River and the Public Health Plan has been enacted. Work is underway to vaccinate all Robinson River residents over the coming days. Extra vaccinations are also being made available in Borroloola.

For more information see the attachment and these links:

• Lockdown map
• Lockdown details for Katherine and Robinson River & Surrounding Homelands

The NT Government has made special regulations for people who travel to remote communities which have first dose vaccination rates of less than 70%. These regulations require mask wearing and COVID testing, and apply from 15th November (mask wearing) and 19th November (COVID testing).

This means that anyone traveling to an NT remote community will need to check the vaccination status of the community before traveling there. NT Community vaccination rates can be checked here.

Groote Clinics advise that “Alyangula/Umbakumba/Milyakburra/Angurugu aged 16 and over for second covid vaccination show percentages from 76% to 89%, therefore we are not below the 70% and do not meet the mandatory mask wearing or COVID testing [requirement].”. However people visiting other communities must check vaccination rates and follow the regulations.

See also:

• NT Community vaccination rates
• Details of Mask and Testing regulations
• Chief Health Officer Direction for mandatory vaccination

The lockout for Darwin ended midnight on 9th November 2021. However a mask mandate remains in place until 5pm Friday, 12 November 2021 for both Katherine and Greater Darwin. These are the current rules:

• Face masks must be worn when you are unable to physically distance – at places like supermarkets, shops, hairdressers and on public transport. Workers who come into close contact with patrons, or who work in crowded environments will need to wear a mask.
• The Territory Check-In App is mandatory for business, organisations and places. Customers and visitors must check-in every time, no matter how long they are there for.
• You need to wear a mask when going to a café or restaurant but you can remove it when seated and eating and drinking. Patrons are required to wear a mask when at the bar. Dance floors are open but you must wear a mask.

For full details see:

• https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/stay-safe/freedoms-and-restrictions/lockdown-lockout .
• For public exposure sites and required testing, see https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/updates/items/covid-19-update-lockout-for-katherine-and-greater-darwin

The lockout for Darwin has been extended until midnight on 9th November 2021. The lockout has different rules and restrictions for vaccinated and unvaccinated people.

• For full details see https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/stay-safe/freedoms-and-restrictions/lockdown-lockout .
• For New public exposure sites including at Mindil Beach Casino, and required testing, see https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/updates/items/covid-19-update-lockout-for-katherine-and-greater-darwin

The lockdown and lockout for Darwin and Katherine (see here) has been extended until midnight on 8 November 2021.

See also:

• For full details see https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/stay-safe/freedoms-and-restrictions/lockdown-lockout .
• For New public exposure sites listed and testing required, see https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/updates/items/covid-19-update-lockout-for-katherine-and-greater-darwin

Darwin in “LOCKOUT/LOCKDOWN”

For full details, see https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/stay-safe/freedoms-and-restrictions/lockdown-lockout and for exposure sites see https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/stay-safe/case-location-alerts-and-close-contacts.

From Friday 5th November, Darwin, Palmerston and nearby areas are in “LOCKOUT/LOCKDOWN” for 3 days.

Everyone must:

• stay within the Greater Darwin region
• wear a mask outside home
• show their vaccination certificate to a staff member when they visit any business

Vaccinated people will not be locked down and can continue to be active in the community.

There are additional rules for un-vaccinated people, who must stay in lockdown.

Rules for unvaccinated people:

• unvaccinated people are in lockdown and must stay at home. They can only leave home for the 5 permitted reasons (medical treatment, getting vaccinated, essential work, essential shopping, caring for someone, exercise - 1 hour per day) but must stay within the Greater Darwin region
• unvaccinated workers must stay at home unless they are essential workers

Katherine is also in lockdown, see https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/stay-safe/freedoms-and-restrictions/lockdown-lockout for full details.

Following the NT Government vaccine mandate for workers “who, during the course of work, [are] likely to come into contact with a vulnerable person”, all ALC staff are required to meet the requirements of the NT Government direction. This includes ensuring that COVID-19 vaccination requirements are met and that proof of vaccination status is provided. This proof can be provided via the Medicare COVID-19 Certificate or the Immunisation History Statement.

See the attachment for full details

Vaccination rates for Warnumamalya population centres, all people over 12 years, as at 13th Oct 2021

See also the attached notice, showing Umbakumba having the highest vaccination rates in the NT.

COVID-19 vaccine now required for all Groote workers

See the attachment for full details

The NT Chief Health Officer (CHO) requires that all workers in various NT workplaces must be vaccinated. This ruling applies to all people working on Groote Eylandt and Bickerton Island.

Some exceptions exist but only for very limited medical reasons, with evidence.

Notes:

• First dose of the COVID-19 vaccine must be by 12 November 2021
• Two doses (fully vaccinated) by 24 December 2021.
• If workers have not had their first vaccination by the 13 November 2021, they will not be permitted to enter the workplace and will face a $5000 fine if they do not comply with the Chief Health Officer direction.
• Workplaces can request proof of vaccination from staff, and workplaces must to keep a register of staff vaccination rates.

COVID VACCINATION

Pfizer vaccine now available for everyone 12 years and older

For Appointment / Bookings:

Alyangula Health Centre

Phone 8987 6255