Clarence Valley Covid-19 information

Keeping up with the latest COVID-19 rules and information can be confusing. Here’s a breakdown specific for the Clarence Valley.

Keeping up with the latest COVID-19 rules and information can be a little confusing. Here, The Daily Examiner breaks down what Clarence Valley residents should know as of July 7.

There are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the region. Keep up with all the latest COVID-19 alerts here.

Checking-in will soon be mandatory

Using the Service NSW QR code will be mandatory at all workplaces and retail businesses from Monday, July 12 to allow NSW Health to have real-time access to data from a greater number of venues.

Retail stores, supermarkets, shopping centres, gyms, offices, universities and TAFE, schools (teachers and visitors, excluding students) and manufacturing and warehousing will all be included.

“This is about keeping our local customers and staff safe. We know the Delta variant of COVID-19 moves quickly and we must do everything we can to get it under control,” Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh Singh said.

When you need to wear a mask

Clarence Valley locals must continue to wear a fitted mask in any indoor area outside of their homes until July 16, as well as at organised outdoor events.

Whether you’re at the workplace, at the grocery store or at a gym class – you need to wear a mask. This is in addition to the mandatory mask rule for airports and planes.

There are times however when you do not need to have a mask on, such as when you are eating and drinking, if there’s an emergency, or if you are a person with a condition. To get a full run down on the rules, click here.

Where you can get tested

Grafton Base Hospital: Located on the ground floor Education Centre, 184 Arthur St, Grafton. Open from 9am-5pm, seven days a week. The facility is wheelchair accessible and no referral is required.

Grafton Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology: Located at 19-21 King St, Grafton. Open from 7am-5pm Monday to Friday, 7.30am-10am Saturday. No referral is required.

Grafton South Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology: Located at Shop 9 Coles Complex, 94 Bent St, South Grafton. Open 7am-2pm Monday to Friday. Booking required via 6641 2200. No referral required.

Yamba Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology: Located at Shop 2, 72 Yamba Rd, Yamba. Open 7:30am-2pm Monday to Friday. Booking required via 6641 2200. No referral required.

Yamba Respiratory Clinic: Located at 12 Clarence St, Yamba. Open 8am-5pm Monday to Friday. Click here to book online. No referral required.

Where you can get a Covid Vaccination

Clarence Valley residents are being advised to either contact their GP to discuss how they can go about getting a Covid-19 vaccination, or to contact the Grafton Covid Vaccination Clinic on 1800 438 829.

When you should be self-isolating

Locals who have been in the Greater Sydney region on or after June 21 must be self-isolating at home for a period of 14 days after arriving back in the Clarence Valley.

Where you can travel

NSW: Coffs locals are advised not to enter the greater Sydney region, the Central Coast, Blue Mountains and Wollongong without a reasonable excuse.

Vic: Coffs Harbour has been labelled an ‘orange zone’ in Victoria’s Travel Permit System, which means locals must obtain a permit in order to enter Victoria. You cannot obtain a permit if you have visited red zones including greater Sydney, the Central Coast, the Blue Mountains or Wollongong.

Locals travelling to Victoria are required to self-quarantine, get a test within 72 hours of arrivals and remain in self-quarantine until a negative test result is returned.

QLD: From June 28, as long as you have not been in a hotspot, Coffs residents will need to complete a Queensland Travel Declaration to enter the state.

SA: From June 27, any person from NSW is prohibited from entering South Australia unless they are an essential traveller or returning resident, or if they are genuinely relocating or escaping domestic violence.

WA: NSW residents are not permitted to enter WA without an exemption through a G2G PASS.

Tas: As long as you have not been in a hotspot, Coffs locals can travel to Tasmania by registering through the Tas e-Travel system.

ACT: Coffs locals are able to travel to the ACT as long as they had not been in a hotspot. The ACT has closed its border to greater Sydney.

NT: If you have not been in a hotspot, you can travel to the Northern Territory as long as you complete a border entry form.

Caps on events and gatherings

Clarence Valley households can only have up to five guests at one time, including children. Meanwhile, the one person per four square metre rule has been reintroduced for all indoor and outdoor settings including weddings and funerals.

Theatres, cinemas and outdoor seated events are limited to 50 per cent seated capacity, while gym classes can only have up to 20 people in per class.