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BALLINA Byron Gateway Airport will be employing strict protocols in an effort to help protect the Northern Rivers community.
Ballina Shire Council confirmed all passengers travelling from Sydney are being screened by NSW Health officials upon their arrival at Ballina Byron Gateway Airport.
At the moment, all flights continue to operate as scheduled but passengers are encouraged to check the airline partner website.
Airport Manager Julie Stewart said the Ballina Byron Gateway Airport is committed to working with the NSW Government to maintain a safe and secure facility that provides important transport links for the region.
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Subscriber only VISITORS from the Greater Sydney area and surrounding regions will no longer be able to enter hospitals and health facilities in Northern NSW Local Health District. The decision by the health district comes as COVID numbers continue to spike after a cluster formed in the Northern Beaches region last week. At present, the affected areas are the Greater Sydney area and the Central Coast LGA, Wollongong LGA, and Blue Mountains LGA. Visiting hours and numbers are again being reduced to one visitor for one hour, once a day between the hours of 1pm - 6pm. There are no changes to maternity services at this stage.
Residents and visitors to Northern NSW are being urged to take strict COVID-safe precautions and keep up to date with the changing public health directions in response to the current outbreak.
Anyone in NSW with even the mildest symptoms, such as headache, fatigue, cough, sore throat or runny nose, is asked to come forward immediately for testing, then isolate until they receive a negative result.
For anyone visiting our region, don’t skip getting tested for COVID-19 this festive season, just because you may be away from home. If you feel unwell, get tested immediately.
Our health services are continuing to monitor the situation, and are involved in daily planning discussions around staffing levels over the Christmas period. This also includes staffing requirements to screen incoming travellers at the Ballina Byron Gateway Airport, which has started today.
PRIME Minister Scott Morrison had some trouble getting out of the Northern Rivers when he visited on Thursday.
But could he have done more while he was on the North Coast?
It is understood the PM’s departure from Ballina Byron Gateway Airport was delayed when the Royal Australian Air Force jet he arrived in experienced technical issues.
A second RAAF jet was flown in for him to depart the region as scheduled.
But like a car breaking down on a long road trip, or a flat tyre when you just so happen to be somewhere really awesome, we reckon ScoMo could have waited for the first plane to be repaired.