Douglas Shire Council receives regular updates from the Queensland and Australian governments and will respond as required or directed by appropriate health authorities.
*Vaccination requirements came into effect on December 17 through the Chief Health Officer’s Public Health Direction.
**Face mask requirements across Queensland include all indoor settings except for in the home.
*** There are changes to the requirements for confirmed cases and close contacts as well as for contact tracing in Queensland.
COVID-19 Testing
Port Douglas Swab Clinic
Testing is conducted inside the board room at the Port Douglas Community Hall on Mowbray St.
At this stage, the swab clinic is open 8am to 3pm everyday until Monday 31 January 2022.
NO bookings are required and provided FREE of charge.
Please wear a mask when accessing the service.
Mossman Swab Clinic
Mossman COVID-19 Swab Clinic
- Pathology Queensland
- Mossman MPHS, Johnston Road entrance, Mossman, 4873
- Yes
- Access via Hospital Street. Follow signage from Johnston Road
- Monday to Sunday 08:30-16:00 and OPEN public holidays
- No
- No
- Yes
If you have recently entered Queensland and expect to be in the area for longer than 5 days, please call 07 4084 1794 for pre-test registration before day 5 of your visit. Symptomatic patients requiring emergency treatment can present to the Mossman Hospital Emergency Department wearing a mask. If you are self-driving, please call 07 4084 1794 to announce your arrival at the testing site. Remain in your car, windows up and engine on until requested to come forward. If you have no means of self-transport to the Mossman testing service, please call Adrenalin Shuttle Service on 0423 275260 to arrange your free return transfer.
FOR TRAVELLERS || COVID-19 Swab Clinic - Mossman
The following information is provided by Cairns and Hinterland Hospital Health Service.
Address: Mossman MPHS, Johnston Road entrance, Mossman, 4873
How to find us: Access via Hospital Street. Follow signage from Johnston Road
Step1
Please prepare responses to the following questions before calling for pre-test registration. P: (07) 40841794
- Car registration number (if self-driving)
- Full name as stated on Medicare Card (as applicable)
- Date of Birth
- Male / Female / Non-Binary
- Home Residential Address
- Medicare Card Number / Reference No. / Validity date
Step 2
If you have no means of self-transport to the Mossman testing service, please call Adrenalin Shuttle Service on 0423 275260 to arrange your free return transfer.
Please note
You are required to wear a mask prior to boarding the shuttle and during travel time to and from the clinic.
Pre-registration does not mean priority testing and is based on a queued system only.
COVID-19 Vaccinations
Mossman Hospital
Mossman Multi Purpose Health Centre
9 Hospital Street
Accepting all persons aged 12 and over as a walk-in during operating hours. Must present at least one hour before clinic closing and is limited by supply availability.
Opening times and dates below:
| Thu 27 Jan | 8.30am – 3.30pm |
|---|---|
| Fri 28 Jan | 8.30am – 3.30pm |
| Sat 29 Jan | 8.30am – 3.30pm |
| Sun 30 Jan | Closed |
| Mon 31 Jan | Closed |
| Tue 01 Feb | Closed |
| Wed 02 Feb | Closed |
Cairns Convention Centre
Cairns Convention Centre
CNR Wharf and Sheridan Street, Cairns City
This vaccination location is open to all ages from 5+.
Bookings and walk-ins are available.
Walk-ins must present one hour prior to clinic closure and availability may be limited.
| Thu 27 Jan | 8am – 7pm |
|---|---|
| Fri 28 Jan | 8am – 3pm |
| Sat 29 Jan | 9am – 12pm |
| Sun 30 Jan | 8am – 3pm |
| Mon 31 Jan | 8am – 3pm |
| Tue 01 Feb | 8am – 3pm |
| Wed 02 Feb | 8am – 3pm |
Cairns Pier
Cairns Pier
1 Pier Point Road, Cairns City
This vaccination location is open to all ages from 5+.
Bookings and walk-ins are available.
Walk-ins must present one hour prior to clinic closure and availability may be limited.
| Thu 27 Jan | Closed |
|---|---|
| Fri 28 Jan | 10am – 6pm |
| Sat 29 Jan | 10am – 6pm |
| Sun 30 Jan | 10am – 6pm |
| Mon 31 Jan | Closed |
| Tue 01 Feb | Closed |
| Wed 02 Feb | Closed |
Residents & travellers
Council is prepared for any potential impacts of the COVID-19 virus and is taking a calm and precautionary approach to slowing the transmission of COVID-19.
Queensland Health provides timely health advice and information. Anyone with concerns can call 13 HEALTH or take the COVID-19 coronavirus quiz.
Important Updates from the Queensland Government
Queensland Government’s latest updates and advice for residents and travellers can be accessed here
Current cases - Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service area
Information on the current coronavirus status is provided by State and Federal health authorities.
Local information for the Far North Queensland district is also available here.
*Information for the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service area, which includes Douglas Shire, Cairns, the Tablelands, Tully, Chillagoe, Georgetown and Croydon.
Roadmap to a COVIDSafe Community
National Cabinet
Australian governments are taking a measured approach. The Federal Government’s three-step plan provides a pathway for jurisdictions to move towards COVID safe communities in a way that best suits their individual circumstances. Read more here.
Queensland Government
The Queensland Government’s health response to COVID-19 means we’re well positioned for recovery. The Queensland’s Roadmap to Easing COVID-19 restrictions outlines a staged approach to giving Queenslanders more freedom to travel, participate in more activities and hold more gatherings. Read more here.
COVID-19 Vaccination Rollout
The Australian Government is in charge of selecting, buying and regulating the COVID-19 vaccines.
The Queensland Government is in charge of delivering the vaccine across our state..
For more information about the vaccines, including your eligibility to receive the vaccine, please visit:
- The Australian Government website
- The National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080. The line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- Qld Health Question and Answers website
Businesses
Local Support & Information
Council is acutely aware of the challenges faced by businesses in our Shire and will work with all levels of government, Tourism Port Douglas Daintree and the Douglas Chamber of Commerce to look at ways to support our business sector.
Important Information on Recording Customer Details
The Qld Government has made the use of electronic check-in processes at hospitality businesses (e.g. QR codes) mandatory from 23rd December 2020. Occupant density limits apply to hospitality businesses that are unable to comply and continue to use paper based records.
Other businesses, activities and undertaking included in the Restrictions on Businesses, Activities and Undertakings Direction (No. 12) are also required to keep customer contact records.
For further information please visit here.
Register for Council Projects
Local tradies and suppliers are encouraged to register online to receive updates about upcoming projects and business opportunities with Douglas Shire Council. More information here.
Buy Douglas: Build Douglas
A buy local campaign called Buy Douglas: Build Douglas is encouraging people to spend their money in Douglas Shire and build the economy in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Economic Recovery Group, which features Douglas Shire Council, Douglas Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Port Douglas Daintree (TPDD) and Jabalbina Aboriginal Corporation, has today launched the campaign to get everyone to ‘Do It In Douglas’.
Visit the campaign website here.
Douglas Chamber of Commerce
Douglas Chamber of Commerce will be updating their website with helpful information and support available for small businesses.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Workplace Risk Management
It doesn’t matter if you’re a worker or someone who is responsible for workers, you must identify and manage work health and safety risks including the exposure to COVID-19. Businesses should also plan to respond to cases of COVID-19 at work in line with advice provided by Queensland Health.
Council Response
Below you’ll find a list of steps Council has taken regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
- Council has Business Continuity Plans (BCPs) to ensure the continued supply of critical services such as water, wastewater and waste collection.
- Council has invested in Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and will be placing educational symptom posters, as well as touch-free sanitizers at key council facilities.
- Council has raised awareness to all staff in line with the latest national advice.
- The Douglas Local Disaster Management Group is liaising with core members, advisors and the District Disaster Management Group.
- Residents and visitors are encouraged to practice good hygiene by hand washing, covering sneezes and staying home if you are sick.
Council is taking a calm and precautionary approach to slowing the transmission of COVID-19 – please refer to the resources available online at www.health.qld.gov.au/coronavirus.
By working closely with Queensland Health, Council is also actively raising awareness and sharing information to key agencies and the community.
Buy Douglas: Build Douglas
A buy local campaign called Buy Douglas: Build Douglas is encouraging people to spend their money in Douglas Shire and build the economy in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Economic Recovery Group, which features Douglas Shire Council, Douglas Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Port Douglas Daintree (TPDD) and Jabalbina Aboriginal Corporation, has today launched the campaign to get everyone to ‘Do It In Douglas’.
Local business owners are fronting the new campaign in a bid to encourage people to support the sector during this challenging period.
Douglas Shire Council endeavours to buy locally and give businesses the best opportunity. Council employees know the difference they can make by keeping the money in Douglas Shire. Register FREE at Vendor Marketplace to join the public supplier list.
Are you a business owner with a story to tell?
Email Douglas Shire Council at media@douglas.qld.gov.au to make sure your story is heard.
