With no new cases of coronavirus yet recorded in the local health district in the last 66 days, the arrival of passengers from travel-restricted Covid hot-spots in Melbourne into Ballina airport has raised community concerns about virus transmission.

Read more news: NSW to ban visitors from Victorian Covid-19 hotspots

Ballina Mayor David Wright said since the NSW Government’s Public Health Order restricting travel came in yesterday, people arriving at Ballina airport from Melbourne were being screened for Covid by airport staff when they arrived.

“People are coming because the borders are open and still airlines are legally allowed to fly in,” Cr Wright said.

“I understand people being nervous – I’m nervous too.

“I’m elderly too and I meet a lot of people. I don’t have the power to stop people arriving – even though Council owns the airport, it’s run by State and Federal guidelines.

“We’ve only had flights back in our airport for the last week or so, from Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne.

“Since yesterday, arrivals were also tested in Melbourne for Covid before they got the plane.”

Cr Wright said the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) has also sent a team of medical professionals to the airport to help with the testing.

“So now we have nurses running the tests and police are also there to help,” he said.

“If they and police find anyone with a high temperature, they will be put into a testing area, like Ballina Bowling Club.

“If they are found to be carrying Covid, they will be taken back to Melbourne on the next flight, or if they are from a Melbourne suburb in lockdown, they will be fined.

“If they just picked it up, they will be quarantines by the Local Health District staff.”

Cr Wright said next week Ballina airport is ramping up and would be receiving 43 flights a week.

“We are doing everything we can and making sure you can’t go without hand sanitiser,” he said.

“It took an extra half hour to get on plane yesterday.”

Tourism

With school holidays about to start in NSW and already underway for QLD and Victoria, this is one of the busiest times of the year in the Northern Rivers and more people are arriving.

Cr Wright said a lot of people from Victoria had already arrived in town after driving up.

“Hopefully they are alright too,” he said.

“We’ve have Queenslanders here from start and some businesses in town are doing well."

With a need to open up the economy after a quiet period of shut down across the whole area - from Lismore to the coast - the unfolding issue of the potential spread of Covid-19 and the need to have tourists is a complex one.

Cr Wright said Council was taking it very seriously, but would accept what the experts said was necessary.

“If Covid is spreading on Melbourne, it may be that they say airlines can’t fly from Melbourne to here anymore,” he said.

“I’m pleased we have Sydney and Canberra flights arriving and people still want to stay.”

A recent Facebook post from a local about the issue.

Local MP speaks up

Lismore MP Janelle Saffin said she had already made representations to the State Health Minister Brad Hazzard on behalf of many concerned Lismore locals about the arrivals from Melbourne.

Ms Saffin said while the current response from local health authorities was reassuring, it should have been brought in sooner.

“Why don’t they bring in the restrictions and testing at the start of Victorian holidays?” she said.

“We have to go with it and be as safe as we can – but I understand the community’s concerns.”

Health response

Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) chief executive Wayne said the new Public Health Order included penalties of up to $11,000- or six-month imprisonment for those found guilty of breaching them. 

“We will continue to keep the public updated on any changes to health advice as the pandemic evolves,” Mr Jones said.

“We urge individuals to maintain physical distancing, wash hands regularly, and cover coughs and sneezes to minimise any risk of COVID-19 transmission,” Mr Jones said.

If you have any symptoms at all, even a mild sore throat or runny nose, don’t delay in getting tested at your local hospital, GP or pop up testing clinic.

What is the Public Health Order?

Public Health (COVID-19 Interstate Hotspots) Order 2020 relates to “affected persons”, persons who in the last 14 days have been in a COVID hotspot.

The order directs that an affected person must not travel to NSW unless:

• they are a NSW resident
• entering to obtaining medical or other care; to fulfil a legal obligation or give effect to a Court order; to provide an essential service (there is a non-exclusive list in the order re what is an essential service and it includes emergency, law enforcement, freight, health services, defence).

If an affected person enters NSW, they must self isolate at their place of residence or another suitable place and remain there until 14 days have passed since the person was in a COVID hotspot. 

There are only limited reasons an affected person can leave their home, including obtaining medical care, complying with legal obligations, providing an essential service, in an emergency or to leave NSW. The person must comply with the NSW Health self isolation guidelines.

Another person cannot enter the affected person’s place of residence except in limited circumstances e.g. normally live there or providing medical care or delivering food.

The Minster has the power to exempt compliance, which has been delegated.

Where are the hotspots?

3012 Brooklyn, Kingsville, Maidstone, Tottenham, West Footscray

3021 Albanvale, Kealba, Kings Park, St Albans

3032 Ascot Vale, Highpoint City, Maribyrnong, Travancore

3038 Keilor Downs, Keilor Lodge, Taylors Lakes, Watergardens

3042 Airport West, Keilor Park, Niddrie, Niddrie North

3046 Glenroy, Hadfield, Oak Park

3047 Broadmeadows, Dallas, Jacana

3055 Brunswick South, Brunswick West, Moonee Vale, Moreland West

3060 Fawkner

3064 Craigieburn, Donnybrook, Mickelham, Roxburgh Park, Kalkallo