The Chief Health Officer has revoked Greater Metropolitan Sydney as a hotspot and has declared a number of Local Government Areas across Sydney’s Western Suburbs as hotspots from 11am on 12 January 2021.
The New South Wales Local Government Areas that remain as a declared hotspot include:
· City of Blacktown
· City of Canada Bay
· City of Canterbury-Bankstown
· City of Fairfield
· City of Parramatta
· Cumberland Council
· Inner West Council
· Municipality of Burwood
· Municipality of Strathfield
People arriving in the Northern Territory from Greater Metropolitan Sydney except the Local Government Areas that remain as hotspots, will no longer have to undertake mandatory supervised quarantine. Anyone currently in mandatory quarantine from the areas in Greater Metropolitan Sydney that have been revoked as hotspots will be able to exit.
The active and positive COVID-19 cases in New South Wales are confined to Sydney’s Western Suburbs. The New South Wales public health response to contact trace and contain this outbreak has been extensive. Revoking Greater Metropolitan Sydney as a hotspot and creating a ring of safety around the Local Government areas of geographical risk is a proportionate and considered response.
The Chief Health Officer will continue to review and assess the COVID-19 situation across New South Wales and Australia, and will declare a hotspot at any time if required.
All people travelling to the Northern Territory will continue to be required to complete an online border entry form upon arrival.
The Chief Health Officer has urged Territorians not to become complacent as the COVID-19 situation can change quickly. Personal behaviour including practising high levels of hygiene and physical distancing remain our best defence against COVID-19.
It is also important the community continues to check-in at businesses and venues across the Northern Territory so NT Health can quickly undertake contact tracing if required.
The Territory Check In App is a contactless, secure and easy way for customers and visitors to sign into businesses and venues and have this data stored directly by NT Health. The Territory Check In App can be downloaded from the Google Play or Apple App stores.
The risk of COVID-19 in our communities cannot be eliminated which is why it is important for everyone to follow all health directions.
· Maintain a physical distance of 1.5m at all times.
· Wash your hands with soap and water and use hand sanitiser regularly.
· Cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue. Put your tissue in the bin straight away.
· Do not travel or go to work if you are sick.
· If you have symptoms, stay away from others and get tested for COVID-19.
· For more information about hotspots and to stay up to date with the latest information visit www.coronavirus.nt.gov.au
Quotes attributable to Chief Health Officer Dr Hugh Heggie
“I have been closely monitoring the recent clusters of COVID-19 cases in Sydney and I am satisfied with the extensive public health response New South Wales is undertaking.
“I am confident in revoking Greater Metropolitan Sydney as a hotspot and declaring hotspots across the Local Government Areas of risk to create a ring of safety. This is a localised and specific approach that has been reviewed and considered and provides a proportionate response.
“When making these decisions I work closely with the other Chief Health Officers from across Australia and consider the specific granular information about each outbreak including community demographics and behaviours, the extent of community spread, the controls and public health measures in place and the risk to the NT community.
“I will continue to constantly review and monitor the COVID-19 situation across New South Wales and all of Australia. Things can change quickly and I will declare hotspots when, and as required. I urge all Territorians to stay informed.”