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EMERGENCY

In an emergency, always call triple zero (000) for an ambulance. Ambulances are the safest way to be assessed, treated and transported to the right hospital for the care you need.

Triple zero (000) is a free call from any phone, mobile or phone box.

For less severe but still urgent situations, go to an Emergency Department.

There are 12 public hospital Emergency Departments in Northern NSW Local Health District and they are all available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Emergency departments are located at:

COVID-19 Update
Published: 29 Jun 2021

Thank you to Northern NSW residents who have responded to calls for testing as part of the response to the evolving COVID-19 outbreak in Greater Sydney.

Last week until 19 June, there were 2,584 COVID tests for Northern NSW Local Health District residents.

This week, up until Saturday 26 June, there were 3,611 tests amongst local health district residents. Not all tests are conducted locally, as some residents are tested elsewhere in the State.

On Sunday, 27 June there was further increased testing with 580 tests conducted at our four hospital testing clinics in Tweed Heads, Lismore, Byron Bay and Grafton.

Anyone experiencing even the mildest of cold-like symptoms should come forward immediately for testing, then isolate until a negative result is received.

"We thank people for their patience as there have been some delays at the Byron and Lismore testing clinics. The LHD is allocating additional staff to the clinics to reduce waiting times. Please bring a hat or sun protection and water," Acting Chief Executive Lynne Weir said.

There are also other testing options available in the area. A full list of your nearby testing locations can be found here https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/clinics.aspx

Northern NSW Local Health District is expanding its capacity to provide COVID-19 vaccinations in the region, extending opening hours for the three clinics located at Tweed Mall, Lismore Square Shopping Centre, and Link Arcade Grafton.

The Tweed and Lismore clinics are now operating seven days a week, while the Grafton clinic will be open six days a week, Monday-Saturday.

Find the latest clinic information at the Eligibility Checker on the health.gov.au website.

Our clinic schedulers are working hard to schedule appointments for local residents, and to return calls that are lodged through our call back system.

"I would like to thank the community for their patience and assure people that everyone who wants to be vaccinated will be vaccinated in due course as the Commonwealth Government makes supplies available," Ms Weir said.

The LHD has implemented additional precautions. All visitors to Northern NSW hospitals must wear a mask before entering facilities and the following visitor restrictions are now in place:

  • Patients can have two visitors twice a day for one hour. The visitors can be four different people.
  • Visiting arrangements for Maternity patients are unchanged.

For outpatient appointments and community services, telehealth appointments are being utilised where possible.

Visitors to Northern NSW who arrived via Gold Coast Airport or Brisbane Airport on the following flights are advised that they must immediately call NSW Health on 1800 943 553, get tested and isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result.

A Sydney-based cabin crew member on these flights has been diagnosed with COVID-19. All passengers on affected flights are being contacted.

Flight number Date Departure location and time Arrival location and time

Flight number
Date
Departure location/time
Arrival location/time

VA939 (Virgin)
Friday 25 June
Sydney at 11.51am
Brisbane at 1.25pm

VA517 (Virgin)
Saturday 26 June
Sydney at 11.14am
Gold Coast at 12.40pm

 

Anyone who attended the Sydney Airport T2 domestic terminal food court on Thursday 24 June between 5am and 10am is a close contact and must immediately get tested and isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result, and call 1800 943 553 unless they have already been contacted by NSW Health.

Anyone who attended the T2 domestic terminal in all areas except the food court on Thursday 24 June between 5am and 10am is a casual contact and must immediately get tested and self-isolate until a negative result is received. Please continue to monitor for symptoms and immediately isolate and get tested if they develop.
To find your nearest clinic, visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others/clinics or contact your GP.

Northern NSW residents and visitors are reminded that the following restrictions now apply to NSW regional areas:

  • People who have been in the Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Wollongong on or after June 21 should follow the stay-at-home orders for a period of 14 days after they left Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Wollongong.
  • Visitors to households will be limited to five guests – including children;
  • Masks will be compulsory in all indoor non-residential settings, including workplaces, and at organised outdoor events;
  • Drinking while standing at indoor venues will not be allowed;
  • Singing by audiences and choirs at indoor venues or by congregants at indoor places of worship will not be allowed;
  • Dancing will not be allowed at indoor hospitality venues or nightclubs however, dancing is allowed at weddings for the wedding party only (no more than 20 people);
  • Dance and gym classes limited to 20 per class (masks must be worn);
  • The one person per four square metre rule will be re-introduced for all indoor and outdoor settings, including weddings and funerals;
  • Outdoor seated, ticketed events will be limited to 50 per cent seated capacity.