Booderee National Park closed, but travel into JB Territory allowed despite ACT closing borders

The original announcement saw the ACT close its borders to the Shoalhaven, imposing a two-week quarantine on anyone entering the territory from the Shoalhaven City Council local government area.

The region is one of 14 local government areas which has been subject to ACT stay-at-home requirements from 11.59pm Thursday, including areas in the Hunter Valley and the mid-North Coast.

The ACT declared the Shoalhaven LGA, which surrounds the Jervis Bay Territory (JBT) as an affected area on August 5.

However, to ensure JBT residents are able to move freely between the Territory and the Shoalhaven LGA, a new health direction has been issued which excludes JBT and the Shoalhaven LGA from being automatically picked up under the ACT's Public Health (COVID-19 Areas of Concern Notice).

Read more: 'It's going to get worse': South Coast tourism suffers blow after ACT locks out Shoalhaven

A spokesperson for Regional Development and Territories, said the new direction means that if the ACT imposes stay-at-home requirements for people who have been to the JBT or Shoalhaven LGA, JBT residents will be able to cross into the broader Jervis Bay area without quarantine requirements.

"However, all JBT residents must continue to follow the Emergency Public Health Directions which are now in place for the JBT and which align with broader NSW Public Health Orders for regional NSW," the spokesperson said.

Gilmore MP Fiona Philips said "thankfully sanity prevailed, with the Commonwealth confirming residents of Gilmore can travel freely between JBT and Shoalhaven LGA."

However, in response to the evolving COVID-19 situation Booderee National Park will be closed from August 5-11 but may possibly for longer.

"While we regret any inconvenience caused by this temporary closure, the wellbeing of our visitors, staff and local communities continues to be our first priority," a Parks Australia spokesperson said.

Read more: COVID-19 viral fragments detected in Bomaderry and Wollongong sewage

Parks Australia's website actually says Booderee will close temporarily until further notice.

"Parks Australia is committed to taking appropriate precautionary measures to protect the health of all concerned," the spokesperson said.

"Jervis Bay Territory, Wreck Bay Community and HMAS Creswell staff and residents who have received an exemption, will be able to travel through Booderee National Park during this time to reach their homes and workplaces."

Visitors with pre-booked park passes from Friday, August 6 can request a refund online or alternatively by emailing Booderee.mail@awe.gov.au.

For any inquiries about Booderee National Park, contact 6274 2432 or Booderee.mail@awe.gov.au.

The JBT has extended the declared State of Emergency for a 30-day period from July 19, as part of the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories, Nola Marino said by doing this, the JBT community will continue to be protected and supported during this time, with the health and wellbeing of the community the first priority.

The State of Emergency declaration in the JBT under the Jervis Bay Territory Emergency Management Ordinance 2015 provides powers to key members of the JBT Emergency Management Committee, and Emergency Services supporting the JBT, to deal with public health risks associated with COVID-19.