Six Jetstar flights still scheduled to land from Melbourne into Ballina this week

Extra precautions are in place by airport and airline staff to keep workers and the general population safe during the current Victorian lockdown.

People disembark a domestic Jetstar flight at the Ballina-Byron Gateway Airport on June 20, 2020. (Photo by Brook Mitchell/Getty Images)

Ballina Byron Gateway Airport management has confirmed six direct Jetstar flights are scheduled to land from Melbourne this week.

Jetstar is the only airline currently servicing the direct Melbourne route.

The airline has continued to operate the flights despite the Covid-related seven-day lockdown imposed on Victoria last week.

It is unclear how many passengers have arrived from Melbourne from Ballina from Friday, when the lockdown started.

Although the NSW Government did not close the border, Premier Gladys Berejiklian mandated that those arriving from Victorian must isolate at home in NSW as if they were spending the lockdown in Victoria.

Airport manager Julie Stewart detailed the extra precautions currently in place for inbound flights from Melbourne coming to Ballina.

“All inbound flights are requested to complete a Service NSW QR code indicating they have entered Ballina Byron Gateway Airport. This is to allow contact tracing if required,” Ms Stewart said.

Ballina Byron Gateway Airport.

“No member of the public is permitted into the arrivals hall to collect passengers unless they are a carer for a passenger on the inbound flight.

“Currently, passengers on flights from Melbourne are requested in-flight to complete a declaration prior to arrival at Ballina Byron Gateway Airport.

“Passengers entering the arrivals are met by NSW Health Officials who direct passengers, who haven’t already, to register on the Service NSW QR code.

“All passengers must wear a face mask while on board flights and while in the arrivals hall.”

The executive said the airport’s Covid-Safe Plan also has measures in place to protect staff and the general population.

“This includes additional cleaning and sanitisation, temperature checks, as well as restricting terminal access to passengers and airport staff to maintain social distancing,” she said.

“Face-to-face passenger contact areas have sneeze screens in place, and hand sanitiser units are positioned at various locations around the terminal.

“These measures will continue to be assessed in line with NSW Government public health orders.”

Arrivals area at Ballina Byron Gateway Airport.

Departing flights from Ballina to Melbourne also have to undergo a number of measures designed to be part of the safety plan, Ms Stewart said.

“All passengers and staff entering Ballina Byron Gateway Airport are required to use the Service NSW QR code. This is to allow contact tracing if required,” she explained.

“All passengers and staff entering the airport are to be temperature-tested with a non-contact forehead thermometer.

“All passengers and staff must wear a face mask on entering the public areas of the passenger terminal, with all passengers required to wear a mask on board their departing flights (no matter the destination).”

Last week, Jetstar said the number of flights between Ballina and Melbourne was going to be assessed based on demand.

Jetstar was contacted for comment.