The NT Chief Health Officer is closely monitoring the situation in New Zealand after a woman tested positive for a South African COVID-19 variant after leaving hotel quarantine.

The Australian Government suspended all green zone flights from New Zealand for 72 hours, pending further review by the AHPPC. It has been agreed nationally that all arrivals who left New Zealand after 2:00pm New Zealand Standard Time (NZST) on Monday 25 January 2021 must quarantine on arrival to Australia.

There are no direct flights to the Northern Territory from New Zealand.

The Chief Health Officer has made a Direction temporarily suspending the Northern Territory’s travel bubble with New Zealand so that, in the unlikely event that an individual who left New Zealand after 2:00pm NZST on Monday 25 January 2021 arrives in the Northern Territory, they must complete 14 days mandatory quarantine at a Northern Territory Quarantine Facility.

The Chief Health Officer will continue to review and assess the COVID-19 situation in New Zealand and take into account the effectiveness of the COVID-19 controls in place, and the potential risks to the NT community.

The risk of COVID-19 in our communities cannot be completely eliminated, which is why it is important for everyone to follow all health directions.

·         If you have COVID-19 symptoms, do not travel. Make sure you get tested and stay at home.

·         Maintain a physical distance of 1.5 metres at all times.

·         Wash your hands with soap and water and use hand sanitiser regularly.

·         Cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue. Put your tissue in the bin straight away.

·         Do not go to work if you feel sick.

·         If you have symptoms, get tested.

To stay up to date with the latest information visit www.coronavirus.nt.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Acting Chief Health Officer Dr Charles Pain

 “While the risk is low to the Northern Territory, it is important that we take the necessary steps to keep our community safe particularly as this case involves a more infectious strain of COVID-19.”

“All people who arrive in the Northern Territory from New Zealand will enter mandatory supervised quarantine at a Northern Territory Quarantine Facility.”

“I will continue to monitor and review the situation in New Zealand to protect the NT community.”