2024 – Four years since Covid Border closures

17 March 2020

This week is four years since Norfolk Island State of Emergency came into effect introducing Corona Virus regulations. On the 17 March 2020, the flight due to arrive from Australia was turned back and other flights were cancelled. Norfolk Island Tourism industry was stopped overnight and the world as we knew was about to change for the next couple of years.

Here are extracts of articles that I have written since March 2020, these articles relate to border closes, loss of freedom, caring for our remote community. The medical changes introduced telephone appointments, wearing masks, PCR and RAT Covid-19 tests were introduced, Covid-19 Vaccines became available and the ongoing social distancing, QR Codes for entry into buildings and number limits in buildings.

There were also many gatherings postponed or cancelled along with the sadness of limiting numbers at funerals. During the State of Emergency regulations, March 2020 to October 2022, there were many emotional times with restrictions controlling our everyday lives.

March 16, 17, 2020

Norfolk Island Eventful Week

During the past week, Norfolk Island has had two states of Emergencies. First was the Tropical Cyclone RED ALERT as TC Gretel passed Norfolk Island on Monday. Followed by the State of Emergency as the Corona Virus (COVID-19) regulations were put in place to protect our Norfolk Island community.

The world news has seen the spread of the COVID-19 since first notified in China in December 2019. Makings it way through Europe and now to all corners of the world. The steps declared on Tuesday morning is similar to many declarations imposed around many countries and communities around the Pacific and the World.

The Norfolk Island State of Emergency was enforced for 32 days as from 17 March 2020. The public announcement was made on the Norfolk Island Radio by Mr Eric Hutchinson, the Norfolk Island Administrator, at midday on Tuesday 17^th March.

We were advised that the Sydney flight had been returned to Sydney and only Norfolk Island residents and authorised people, such as medical or education, could travel to Norfolk Island. The Brisbane flight passengers were advised before the flight departed and only Norfolk Island residents were allowed to board that flight on Tuesday and the Sydney flight returned on Wednesday with locals and took the tourist back to Australia. When the flights arrive on Norfolk Island, the passengers were required to self-isolate for 14 days. Organised buses took the people to their homes and advised about the regulations and rules explained to them plus assistance that is available during the two weeks.

What does COVID – 19 State of Emergency mean to Norfolk Island, 2020?

During the next week, there will be no more tourist arriving on Norfolk Island and the impact of our tourism driven economy will be stressful for many in our community. Most businesses and employment on Norfolk Island are based around the visiting tourist.

The Australian Prime Minister, Hon Scott Morrison, announced emergency financial packages and the Emergency, Management Norfolk Island EMNI, managers will be hopefully organising assistance for Norfolk Island businesses and community.

The important message to the Norfolk Island community, 2020.

Norfolk Island we do not want the COVID-19 to spread to our remote island and vulnerable members of our community. Halting travellers will slow the spread of the virus and assist the medical staff at the hospital care for people with medical needs.

What can we do to help during the State of Emergency, 2020?

During the next weeks, if the community can follow the instructions of the local Norfolk Island Police and the medical advice given by the local doctors and staff. Updates were broadcast on the Norfolk Island Radio Station also many updates were on the NI community pages on Facebook.

Please remember to wash hands, to not shake hands and to limit groups to under 100 indoors and under 500 outdoor and the advice about crowd gathering is well documented on the 2020 internet postings.

Caring for our Norfolk Island Community, 2020.

These days and weeks to come will be stressful for many. Remember to be mindful of children and to reassure them during this difficult time.

Many community members will have a loss of income as the tourist industry is stopped. We need to support each other during these tough weeks. As a caring community we will all share the loss of our daily routines. Help out those in stress if you can.

Many will feel cut off from their families overseas and the unknown when we can travel again to see loved ones is an uneasy feeling. Take time to listen if anyone needs to talk to ease their stress, it will be an emotional time as we worry about friends and families overseas and around the world.

Time to Adapt to Change, 2020.

It is definitely a changing world in the last week. The changes to income and work activities will be difficult for many. Thinking about the impact on our small community, I made a list of the industries and jobs effected by the closing of our boarders. I am sure there are many more I have missed off my list. This list is endless, the more I think of the industries involved in tourism. It is scary to realise how this event will impact on our small community and how many are affected. Air New Zealand have dropped 85% of their flights earlier in the week and the announcement was for 3 months and then reviewed. This will be a tough time, and most likely a tough winter.

The roads will seem empty by next week, the cows will wonder why no one is stopping to take their photos. It will be time for us to catch up on jobs that are put aside for another day. I suppose we can all be pleased we have each other, and this might be a safe place to be during this worldwide pandemic.

Take care everyone and remember there is community support if you need help.

One Week in Lockdown, April 2020.

It is one week since Norfolk Island went into “Lockdown” last Friday 3^rd April. It has been an interesting week, adjusting to staying home and staying safe. It was strange to feel the loss of freedom, not being permitted to go to the beach for a swim or walk or drive to our Norfolk Island reserves or to watch the sunset.

For many of the Norfolk Island community it is so strange to stay home every day. Only essential services and businesses have been open and there are also some people working from home. The stress of the loss of work and income is making this a very difficult time for many locals and families.

It is fantastic that at the last update, there are NO reported positive test results for Covid-19 on Norfolk Island and the support of the community staying isolated and in lockdown will hopefully keep it that way.

For Norfolk Island updates listen to the Norfolk Island Radio announcements or follow on Facebook. Emergency Management Norfolk Island - EMNI

https://www.facebook.com/emergencymanagementnorfolkisland/

We all await the announcement that we can return to social distancing instead of lockdown restrictions, but in the meantime. Stay Home and Stay Safe.

December 2021 – January 2022

After avoiding Covid-19 cases for almost two years, the first recorded Norfolk Island cases were announced on 30^th December 2021. On 30^th December 2021 there were 2 confirmed cases reported and by 6^th January 2022 confirmed cases have grown to 35, which also included a visitor tourist and a hospital staff member. Test carried out in Australia have been confirmed that the COVID positive cases on Norfolk Island are the Omicron variant.

January 2022 started with the first recorded cases of Covid-19 on Norfolk Island after 1year 9months of strict border closures and restrictions along with social distancing and locals taking care to help stop the spread of covid during the world pandemic. During the following months, PCR and RAT testings were introduced, and Covid-19 vaccines and boosters were also made available for the community. From the shocks of the first cases, it now seems we know more people who have had the virus than those who have not caught Covid. Borders restrictions were relaxed later in the year and freedom to travel returned, which also meant that many visitors could now organise Norfolk Island holidays, plus the ability to finally visit family in friends. I myself was pleased to organise flights to visit family and friends in New Zealand. It was strange to be in crowds again and I stayed wearing a mask for many months as a precaution.

Thank you to all of the community for helping to stop the Covid virus spreading. Thank you to the cleaners, the social workers, those supporting friends, family and loved ones. The businesses helping with food and essential supplies with limited staff and trying times. Thank you to the medical staff and support teams and the long days helping the community adjust to the covid world and the dangers living in a covid pandemic.

Together we can help stop the spread of Covid on Norfolk Island. Take care everyone, 2022.

End to COVID health directions on Norfolk Island, 14 October 2022.

In line with changes to national protocols, people on Norfolk Island will no longer be required to isolate at home if testing positive to COVID-19, from 14 October 2022. People who are sick and particularly anyone with confirmed COVID are still strongly encouraged to stay home while they are symptomatic and avoid high-risk settings like healthcare.

All public health directions for Norfolk Island, relating to COVID will come to an end from today. NIHRACS will continue to implement COVID controls and measures at the health service and within aged care to protect staff and patients. This includes that COVID-19 positive staff and visitors should not enter NIHRACS for seven days from their positive test date and mask-wearing requirements remaining within NIHRACS.

We thank the Norfolk Island community and visitors for their efforts to keep themselves and others safe. Continue to maintain a safe distance from others, practise good hand hygiene, wear a mask in public places, cover your coughs and sneezes, stay home if sick and get tested if you develop symptoms.

Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.

March 2023

It is now over a year since Norfolk Island first reported cases and travel restrictions have relaxed and international flights and cruise ships have returned. Over recent months the community have relaxed and there have been recent announcements that the next Covid-19 vaccines are available for the eligible community members. I read that there are 12 active reported cases of Covid-19 on Norfolk Island this week, so it is still in the community, so just a reminder to keep washing our hands and sanitising and staying home and getting tested or medical advice if you do not feel well and keep yourself and loved ones safe.

March 2024

It has been interesting looking back over the past four years, I think we all feel relieved that the worst of the world pandemic is behind us, but I am sure many of us will remember the this period of history as a stressful time, but maybe we also appreciate the feeling of community as we all helped each other through tough times and a big thank you to the medical teams who supported many of us as were coped with covid symptoms and the recovery in the weeks or for some the months afterwards.

Take care everyone, have a safe and healthy 2024.

Betty Matthews

22 March 2024