The Acting Chief Health Officer has declared quarantine and testing directions for people who have been to a number of COVID-19 public exposure sites in Victoria.

The Victorian Department of Health has a three tier, risk-based system for exposure sites. In line with the Victorian tier system, the Acting Chief Health Officer has made the following directions in relation to any sites listed from 16 May onwards:  

• Tier 1 (A): Anyone who arrived in the Northern Territory after 12.01am on 25 May 2021 who has visited any of the Tier 1 public exposure sites as stipulated by Victorian health authorities at the specified dates and times must enter mandatory supervised quarantine at their first port of arrival.
• Tier 1 (B): Anyone who arrived into the Northern Territory between 16 May 2021 and 12.00am on 25 May 2021 immediately get tested and undertake 14 days of quarantine in their home or at a suitable place. They must remain in quarantine (unless to get tested) until noon of the 14th day after they were in a Victorian Tier 1 public exposure site, regardless of whether they return a negative COVID-19 test.
• Tier 2: Anyone who arrived into the Northern Territory since 16 May 2021, and until otherwise directed, must self-isolate, get a test and remain in self-quarantine until a negative is returned.
• Tier 3: Anyone who arrived into the Northern Territory since 16 May 2021, and until otherwise directed, must monitor your symptoms and if any symptoms develop, immediately self-isolate, get a test and remain in self-quarantine until a negative is returned.

Victorian public exposure sites can be found here:https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/exposure-sites#public-exposure-sites-in-victoria.

It is expected this list will expand as more locations are identified by contact tracers. If a venue is added or a tier is upgraded, impacted people are required to identify themselves to Northern Territory health authorities, and follow the relevant tier directions. 

This advice comes off the back of four community cases of COVID-19 in Victoria, in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, that are believed to be linked.

To arrange a test, please contact the COVID-19 Hotline on 1800 490 484 or book online at: https://covid19appointment.nt.gov.au/test

In addition to this, the Chief Health Officer has revoked testing directions for the Playford Hotel in South Australia.

The Chief Health Officer will continue to review and assess the COVID-19 situation across Australia, and will take into account COVID-19 monitoring and data collection, the extent of community transmission and risks to the NT community.

The risk of COVID-19 in our communities cannot be 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.
• Do not go to work if you feel sick.
• If you have symptoms, stay away from others and get tested for COVID-19.

Quotes attributable to Chief Health Officer, Dr Charles Pain

“These four community cases are still under review by Victorian health authorities, and we expect public exposure sites to change and expand as authorities work through their investigation.

“With this in mind, I encourage Territorians who have visited Melbourne’s northern suburbs since 16 May 2021 to ensure they are informed of public exposure sites are regular check the Victorian Coronavirus website. 

“Today’s directions are again proportionate and targeted and I will continue to closely watch the situation in Victoria and will not hesitate to expand our response if required.”

“Today’s cases in Victoria are further evidence that we should all get vaccinated to protect ourselves and the whole community against further outbreaks and possible further waves of this deadly pandemic.”