BREAKING: Northern Beaches Region of Sydney

The Northern Beaches area of NSW has been declared a hotspot from 1am Saturday 19 December following the latest COVID-19 outbreak.

As a result, anyone who was in the Northern Beaches region on or since Friday 11 December 2020 and is already in Queensland should get tested and quarantine in their home or accommodation for 14 days from the date they left.

Moreover, anyone who was in the Northern Beaches region on or since Friday 11 December 2020 and arrives in Queensland on a flight from Sydney after 1am Saturday 19 December 2020 must go into hotel quarantine at their own expense for 14 days from the date they left the Northern Beaches and get tested.

This includes both interstate visitors and Queensland residents returning home. Police will check airport arrivals and conduct random checks on the highways. Penalties apply for false declarations.

We will continue to closely monitor the situation and keep you updated.

Queensland Health Alert

A New South Wales resident who travelled to Queensland this week has since tested positive to COVID-19.

Queensland Health has identified some locations that person travelled to while in Queensland.

• 16 December 2020: VA925 Sydney to Brisbane
• 16 December 2020, after 11:30am: The Glen Hotel, Eight Mile Plains

If you have been to either of the above locations at these times and develop any symptoms, you should isolate immediately and get tested.

Important COVIDSafe Christmas Functions Guidelines

Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Grants

The Queensland Government launched a $2 million grants program to assist sexual, domestic and family violence service providers.

As we started to recover from COVID-19, there was unprecedented demand on our domestic and family violence (DFV) services, many of which had to implement new measures to help women and children.

Service providers have worked around social distancing measures to continue to deliver counselling and support over the phone, which has worked well, particularly for teenage clients who can be hard to engage with.

However, this year we have seen a significant increase in people seeking assistance for domestic violence situations. These grants are available to help service providers cope with the influx people seeking assistance.

Grants between $50,000 and $150,000 are available to sexual, domestic or family violence support service providers to support one-off innovations or to purchase technology, produce resources, video production or delivering a temporary COVID-related program.

This is the first time sexual, domestic and family violence service providers can apply for funding to help them respond to the impacts from the pandemic and I would encourage any organization involved in sexual, domestic and family violence support to apply.

Applications are open until 28 February 2021.

For more information on how to apply visit www.qld.gov.au/notnownotevertogether

December Track Closures

COVID-19 Reminder

I ask everyone to play their part in ensuring the health and safety of one another. Maintaining the recommended 1.5m between yourself and others is an essential part of this.  

Additionally, keeping good personal hygiene is a must. Wash your hands with soap regularly and try to steer clear from touching your face, shaking hands or giving hugs.

We need to take all advice seriously and look after the vulnerable in our community.