The Northern Territory Government will implement new border restrictions and arrival requirements in response to the increasing threat of the coronavirus.
From 4.00pm on Tuesday 24 March 2020, the Northern Territory will implement strict border controls for all access points – by road, rail, air and sea.
From 4.00pm on Tuesday 24 March 2020, people who arrive in the Northern Territory from interstate will be required to quarantine for 14 days.
This will be enacted through a formal declaration by the Chief Health Officer under the Public and Environmental Health Act.
There will be exemptions to the quarantine period requirement: including health and emergency services, defence and policing, flight crews and freight – with strict guidelines in place to monitor and manage this.
Arrivals will have to show they meet the essential arrival criteria to be granted an exemption.
There will also be exemptions granted on compassionate grounds.
We will be consulting with essential resources industries to make sure their workforce requirements can be met while guaranteeing community safety for this period.
More information will be provided in the coming days about exemptions, the process for applying, as well the processes that will be implemented at our borders.
The Government is announcing these new measures to give Territorians as much confidence as possible that we are taking every step possible to keep you safe.
This is an unprecedented action for the Northern Territory. But these are unprecedented times.
The Territory comes first. The health of Territorians always comes first.
This will not impact the delivery of essential goods and services. Food and freight will continue. Our supermarkets and stores will be stocked.
These are trying times for Territorians.
The measures we are implementing are tough, but their purpose is clear: to save lives, and keep Territorians safe.
That will always be our first priority.
Source: NT Government