COVID-19 Update 13 May
Vaccination News
Our main vaccination hub – The Pier Shopping Centre
Open 5 days a week
Wednesday to Sunday
10am – 6pm
Open to ages 5+ and includes child friendly clinic for 5-11 years. WALK-IN. Book online www.vaccinebookings.health.qld.gov.au
Poster here
Rural vaccination clinic times and locations have changed. Please visit our website for the latest updates.
COVID-19 Pop-up Vaccination Clinic – last week!
Our community school blitz is coming to an end and our last School pop-up vaccination clinic is operating at Bentley Park College.
There is no booking required and anyone 5 years and over can simply walk-in. The mobile vaccination clinic administers the Pfizer vaccine – you can access a first, second, boosters and paediatric dose of the vaccine.
Bentley Park College
McLaughlin Road, Bentley Park
Monday 9 May to Sunday 15 May 2022
Weekdays 3 pm – 6 pm
Weekends 9 am – 3 pm
Mobile Vaccination ClinicsThe Queensland Health mobile COVID-19 clinic runs vaccination days in our rural and remote areas. Dates and time are subject to change. Our mobile vaccination clinic uses the Pfizer vaccine and is available for ages 5+. There is no booking required.
COVID-19 vaccinations for 5-11 years – second dose is important Children aged 5 – 11 years are eligible to get the vaccination at any of our vaccination sites. If it’s been 8 weeks since your child received their first dose of the Pfizer (Comirnaty) vaccine, you can now book their second dose of the Pfizer (Comirnaty) vaccine at one of our locations here: Vaccination locations | Health and wellbeing | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au) For information on vaccinating children visit Children, young people and parents webpage COVID-19 Boosters A booster dose is important to maintain protection against COVID-19. To find out more visit the Queensland Government’s COVID-19 booster page Updates from Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation COVID-19 Other locations you can access a COVID-19 vaccine COVID-19 vaccinations are also available at a wide range of GPs and pharmacists. See the Vaccine Clinic Finder The Wuchopperen Vaccination Clinic is open to clients and the wider Cairns community. See the Wuchopperen website or phone 07 4255 8400. For the latest COVID-19 vaccination clinic locations and times check out our website Influenza 2022 Vaccination – offered at some clinics for a limited timeFor a limited period of time, some of our clinics will be administering the influenza vaccine to those eligible. The flu vaccine is available free of charge to:
There is no interval and requirement to delay with a COVID or flu vaccination. The influenza vaccine can be administered at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine. For more information visit: 2022 influenza vaccination guidelines | Queensland Health
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COVID-19 Update 11 May
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Queensland continues to refine pandemic restrictions as we move towards ‘living with COVID’. As the new school term starts and we approach winter, it is still very important to minimise the spread of COVID-19 in our schools with COVID-safe practices. These practices also protect against influenza and other respiratory viruses that typically spread in the winter months. The latest advice from Queensland Government states:
Close contacts without symptoms may return to school providing they:
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COVID-19 Update 6 May
Latest school COVID-19 Pop-up Vaccination ClinicsCairns and Hinterland Hospital Health Service is operating week-long COVID-19 vaccination clinics at local schools. There is no booking required and anyone 5 years and over can simply walk-in. The mobile vaccination clinic will be using the Pfizer vaccine – you can access a first, second, boosters and paediatric dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Poster here
The Queensland Health mobile COVID-19 clinic runs vaccination days in our rural and remote areas. Wednesday 18 May Friday 20 May COVID-19 vaccinations for 5-11 years – second dose is importantChildren aged 5 – 11 years are eligible to get the vaccination at any of our vaccination sites. If it’s been 8 weeks since your child received their first dose of the Pfizer (Comirnaty) vaccine, you can now book their second dose of the Pfizer (Comirnaty) vaccine at one of our locations here: Vaccination locations | Health and wellbeing | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au) Booster doses – COVID-19A booster dose is important to maintain protection against COVID-19. To find out more visit the Queensland Government’s COVID-19 booster page Open 5 days a week The Wuchopperen Vaccination Clinic is open to clients and the wider Cairns community. See the Wuchopperen website or phone 07 4255 8400. For the latest COVID-19 vaccination clinic locations and times check out our website Influenza 2022 Vaccination – offered at some clinics for a limited time For a limited period of time, some of our clinics will be administering the influenza vaccine to those eligible. The flu vaccine is available free of charge to:
There is no interval and requirement to delay with a COVID or flu vaccination. The influenza vaccine can be administered at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine. For more information visit: 2022 influenza vaccination guidelines | Queensland Health Updates from Australian Technical Advisory Group on ImmunisationUpdated Advice – COVID-19 vaccination post infection Links
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COVID-19 Update 2 March
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Vaccination news Mobile Vaccination Clinics – arriving in your community Tolga State School Atherton State Primary School Cairns West State School Mareeba State School Poster here Caravonica State School
Poster here Rural hospital vaccination clinics |
COVID-19 Update 28 January
COVID-19 Update 13 January
COVID-19 Update 6 January
“This year will be our third dealing with the COVID challenge and I anticipate that we will continue to meet these challenges head on, as we have for the previous two years. We will continue to work together, keeping the wellbeing and learning of all in our community as our focus.
We continue to closely monitor each and every directive from Queensland Health and other relevant authorities as the situation develops. Our schools are well prepared for periods of remote learning and potential closures, and have been for some time. We are focused on ensuring continuity of learning for all students.
We are aware that requirements in schools may shift as case numbers increase. At this stage, we have not been advised of plans to delay the return to classrooms at the start of Term 1. However, our school principals and leaders are prepared to move quickly to implement future directives from the state government if required.
Our school communities will be kept informed and up to date as we become aware of any changes to procedure. This includes future updates about testing requirements, and vaccination of primary students.”
Ian Davis
Acting Executive Director
Cairns Catholic Education Services
COVID-19 Update 24 December
MASKS TO BE WORN FOR SINGING AT MASSES IN THE DIOCESE OF CAIRNS
Bishop James Foley has today strongly recommended that masks be worn by people attending Mass at Catholic Churches in the Diocese of Cairns.
As a further measure to help slow the spread of COVID-19, Bishop James has also requested that only those people who are wearing masks are to sing at Mass. This will include the Choir.
Catholic Churches are open to both vaccinated and unvaccinated people, however all people are required to check in using the Check-In QLD app, and distancing and density rules of one person per 1.5 square metres applies for all Masses.
Please visit our website at www.cairns.catholic.org.au for Mass times over the Christmas period.
COVID-19 Update 9 November
As Queensland nears the 80% first dose target, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced easing of restrictions for Qld venues for eligible and fully vaccinated persons, from 17th December. At this stage the state government is looking at integrating vaccination status into the Check In Qld app. While these rules aren’t applicable to schools at this point in time, it gives us some idea of how things will look heading into the holidays and the new year.
COVID-19 Update 29 October
COVID-19 vaccination local update 22 October
What’s new for vaccination locations:
- Cairns Convention Centre clinic reopens 7 days from tomorrow (Thursday)
- Cairns Central pop up clinic Saturday 23 October only
- Cairns Airport from Friday 22 October
- Grass is Greener pop up clinic Saturday 23 October
- Yungaburra Festival pop up clinic Fri/Sat/Sun 22-24 October
Vaccination update
With the Queensland borders re-opening soon, now is the time to get vaccinated.
NEW: Cairns Convention Centre vaccination hub reopens
Recommencing Thursday 21st October
7 days a week: 8am – 3:30pm
PLUS late night Thursday: 8am – 7:30pm (convenience for late night shoppers)
WALK-IN, Book online ?www.vaccinebookings.health.qld.gov.au? or Ph: 1800 861 863
Cairns pop up clinics – walk in, no bookings
- NEW: Cairns Central, Ground Floor (behind centre court escalators), Saturday 23 October 8am-2pm
- NEW: Cairns Airport, beside departures/security check in, from Friday 22 October Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Mondays, 6am – 2pm.
Rural pop up clinics – walk in, no bookings
- NEW: Yungaburra Folk Festival, Fri, Sat, Sun 22-24 October. Times to be confirmed.
- Tully Red Cross Building, 17 Bryant St, Tully – 21 October, 8:30am -12.30pm.
- NEW: Tully will also have clinics at the Red Cross Building on 9-12 November and 30 November to 3 December.
Permanent vaccination clinics
COVID-19 vaccinations are available at a wide range of GPs and pharmacists. See the Queensland Health website.
Cairns – Queensland Health clinics and times (Pfizer only)
- Cairns South Community Clinic, 21 Walker Road, Edmonton (across the road from PCYC)
Open 8am – 4pm, 7 days a week - James Cook University, 1/14-88 McGregor Road, Smithfield (A2 Block, to the left of the School of Dentistry), 8am – 4pm, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sundays
- Walk in or book your vaccine appointment on our COVID-19 booking hotline on 1800 861 863.
Rural hospital vaccination clinics (Pfizer only)
- Atherton Hospital – Open 8:30am – 3:30pm, Monday to Wednesdays and Saturdays
- Now also open Saturdays until 13 November
- Mareeba Hospital – Open 8:30am – 3:30pm, Monday, Wednesday, Friday
- Now open Saturday 6 November and 27 November
- Mossman Hospital – Open 8:30am – 3:30pm, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturdays.
- Innisfail Hospital – Open 8:30am – 3:30pm, Monday to Friday. Now open Saturday 30 October
A topical question?
Q. Should pregnant women get vaccinated?
A. Yes. Pregnant women who contract COVID-19 Delta variant have a higher risk of severe illness compared to non-pregnant women of the same age. See COVID-19 vaccines and pregnancy, fertility and breastfeeding | Queensland Health
Links
- Latest Vaccine numbers for Queensland from the Australian Government
- COVID-19 vaccine | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)
- The latest local locations and times for our vaccine clinics are available here. Updates are also regularly published on our Facebook page
COVID Update 19th August 2021
With zero cases of community transmission since the case that precipitated the recent lockdown, the Queensland Government has eased the current restrictions that are in place for the Cairns and Yarrabah LGAs. Whilst the LGAs in Southeast Queensland will move to a new tier of eased restrictions, Cairns and Yarrabah will move back to pre-lockdown restrictions from 4pm Friday 20th (instead of 4pm Sunday 22nd) in line with the rest of Queensland. What does this mean?
From 4pm Friday 20th (or starting next week for schools):
- The Post Lockdown Operating Guidelines for the Cairns LGA Schools will be removed, and all schools and colleges will resume working in line with the regular COVID-19 Operating Guidelines.
- No mandatory mask wearing requirements (this includes people who have been to the Cairns or Yarrabah LGAs since 8th August), unless you have returned from Southeast Queensland within the last 14 days.
- Visitors, contractors and other non-essential personnel are allowed back onsite.
- Parents are permitted back onsite, in line with the school’s normal policy for this.
- Excursions are free to recommence. Please note that there is a current CES ban in place for interstate excursions. Any excursions planned for Southeast Queensland will be discussed with by school and system leadership as the situation there could change rapidly.
- Physical distancing remains at 1.5m for adults, but indoor venue density has moved back to 1 person per 2 square meters. There is no outdoor density limit for outdoor events.
- School assemblies, activities and public events may recommence. Indoor public events will require a COVID Safe Event Checklist.
- Interschool sport and other interschool activities may recommence.
- Music, performing arts, sports and other activities may resume, in line with the COVID-19 Operating Guidelines.
- External agencies including bootcamps and gyms may resume their use of our school’s facilities, in line with the regular arrangements that are in place.
Whilst the immediate concern of an outbreak here in our region seems to be behind us, a continuing vigilance with regard to COVID safety should continue. This includes staying at home when unwell, good hand hygiene, and physical distancing of 1.5m. Remember, if you have flu like symptoms, please get tested.
COVID Update 8th August 2021
To all parents and carers, please see the latest update on the COVID-19 situation from Catholic Education Services.
Please note: For our affected schools in the Cairns region, masks will be required for all staff, and also for students in Year 7 and above. Primary school students are not required to wear masks.
COVID Update 31st July 2021
SEQ lockdown
The Queensland Government has announced this morning that 11 LGAs in south-east Queensland (SEQ) will enter a 3-day lockdown from 4pm today (until 4pm Tuesday). There were 6 locally acquired cases all linked to the case reported yesterday and connected to Indooroopilly State High School. One of the new cases is a staff member at Ironside State School, and both schools are now closed for 14 days with staff, students and other people present on both campuses on the relevant exposure dates considered close contacts (and quarantined for 14 days).
During the lockdown, residents in the impacted areas can only leave home for one of four reasons:
- Buy essentials such as grocery and medications.
- Work if you can’t work from home. Schools are only open to children of essential workers.
- Exercise within 10km of your residence.
- Healthcare.
The impacted areas are: City of Brisbane, Moreton Bay Regional Council, City of Gold Coast, City of Ipswich, Lockyer Valley Regional Council, Logan City, Noosa Shire Council, Redland City, Scenic Rim Regional Council, Somerset Regional Council, Sunshine Coast Regional Council.
The lockdown restrictions also apply to anyone who has been in one of the impacted areas from 1am last night and has or will shortly return to a non-impacted area. When published, the list of all restrictions will be available here.
At this stage, apart from travel and those returning from affected areas to the Cairns region, there are no further restriction for our Diocese.
All work-related travel and school sporting teams and other teams who are planning to travel next week to SEQ in the LGAs mentioned are cancelled until further notice.
COVID Update 30th July 2021
Mask wearing
From 6am Friday 30 July until 6am Friday 6 August, anyone who has been in a Southeast Queensland impacted area in the last 14 days must continue to wear a face mask. From 6am Friday 6 August, you will no longer be required to wear a mask, regardless of when you were last in an impacted area. This advice may change if the mask wearing period is extended. Mask wearing is not required for students, or for staff when teaching. Other mask wearing requirements and exceptions can be found here.
Contact tracing
With more active cases identified within the Southeast Queensland community, the list of contact tracing venues has increased. If you have been to Southeast Queensland within the last 14 days, please check the Close contacts, Casual contacts and Low risk contacts lists here, and continue to check every day until 14 days have passed since you were last in the impacted area.
COVID Update 21st July 2021
Mask wearing
The Queensland Government has announced that mask wearing restrictions will be extended for another 7 days, ending at 6am 30th July. If you have returned from the impacted areas in Southeast Queensland, then you will be required to wear a mask until 14 days have passed since you were last in the impacted area, or until 6am 30th July, whichever is the sooner. As before, masks are not required for students at school, or for teachers who are teaching. Other mask wearing exceptions are available here.
Hotspots
From 1am Friday 23 July, all of NSW will be a declared hotspot, joining Victoria and South Australia. More information is available here.
Cairns contact tracing
There have been no updates for the contact tracing information for Cairns. Please check the contact tracing listings here if you flew into, or were at Cairns Domestic Terminal after 7pm om Friday 16th July. The current advice is that there is no risk to the Mareeba or Atherton communities, hence no exposure venues have been identified. Other contact tracing information is available below.
Cairns update
As many are aware, Queensland Health have updated their contact tracing advice for the Cairns region, with updates within the close contact, casual contact and low risk listings. If you were at the Cairns Domestic Terminal on the evening of Friday 16th July, then please check all of the listings here and follow the relevant instructions.
If you are a contact of someone who was at any of the identified sites, you are not required to do anything, but you should monitor your health, and get tested if you develop any COVID like symptoms.
Contact tracing
Many new exposure sites have been listed for Brisbane, as well as other states. If you have been to any of the regions below, please check the links for details, and follow the appropriate advice.
Hotspots
In addition to all of Victoria and pasts of NSW being declared hotspots, from Thursday 22nd July, all of South Australia will be a declared hotspot. For more information on hotspots and associated travel restrictions, please check the Queensland Government website here.
COVID Update 20th July 2021
A COVID positive returned traveller from Melbourne who lives in Mareeba has been in the community since July 15, including travel to the Sunshine Coast, Mareeba, and Cairns. Preliminary exposure venues are listed below but these may grow today as the contact tracing progresses.
Thursday 15 July
- 3.55pm to 4.15pm – Sunshine Coast Plaza, including Universal store
- 6.45pm to 8pm – Rice Boi, 123 The Wharf, Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba
Friday 16 July
- 1.11pm – 615 bus from Maroochydore Station to Landsborough Station
- 2.06pm – Train from Landsborough Station to Eagle Junction Station
- 3.29pm – Airtrain from Eagle Junction Station to Brisbane Domestic Airport
- 3.45pm – Brisbane Domestic Airport
- 4.50pm – Flight VA791 from Brisbane to Cairns
Saturday 17 July
- Nil
Sunday 18 July
- 10.30am – Atherton fever clinic, Atherton
If you have been to these locations at the relevant times you must do the following:
- immediately travel by private transport directly to your home or accommodation and quarantine
- get tested at your earliest opportunity
- Please call 134 COVID (134 268), as the contact tracing form for these sites has not been enabled yet.
- Follow advice from Queensland Health.
COVID Update 19th July 2021
Mask wearing
If you have been to South East (SE) Qld recently, you are required to wear a mask for 14 days from when you were last there. This requirement is scheduled to finish 6am Friday 23rd July. Exceptions are in place for students, teachers whilst teaching, and other circumstances here. SE Qld includes:
- City of Brisbane
- Moreton Bay Regional Council
- City of Gold Coast
- City of Ipswich
- Lockyer Valley Regional Council
- Logan City
- Noosa Shire Council
- Redland City
- Scenic Rim Regional Council
- Somerset Regional Council
- Sunshine Coast Regional Council
Persons who have returned from Townsville, Palm Island or Magnetic Island are no longer required to wear masks.
Contact tracing
New exposure venues and contact tracing alerts have been issued for:
If you have been to any of the exposure venues at the listed times, you must:
- immediately travel by private transport directly to your home or accommodation and quarantine
- get tested at your earliest opportunity
- continue to quarantine until you receive a negative result
- enter your details into the contact tracing form by clicking or tapping on the name for the relevant exposure veue on the links above. You will not be contacted by Queensland Health unless additional information about the exposure changes the risk level
- continue to monitor for symptoms, if you become symptomatic get tested and isolate until you receive a negative result.
Interstate Travel
Anyone retuning from outside of Queensland must complete a travel declaration and will be subject to a 3-tiered (green, orange or red) travel declaration system. The 3-tiered system will determine whether you are returning from a safe area, whether you have been to an exposure venue, or if you have been to a declared hotspot. More information may be found here. It is also now a requirement for anyone returning from outside of Queensland to check exposure venue listings every day, until 14 days have passed since returning to Qld.
Hotspots
Victoria
From 17 July, all of Victoria was declared a hotspot. A full list of the local government areas is available here. Travel is restricted to Qld residents and exempt persons, and is subject to travel rules here.
New South Wales
The local government areas that make up Greater Sydney, Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour in New South Wales are now declared hotspots. A full list of the local government areas is available here. Travel is restricted to Qld residents and exempt persons, and is subject to travel rules here.
