The Chief Health Officer has declared Greater Metropolitan Sydney and the City of Blue Mountains and the City of Wollongong Local Government Areas as COVID-19 Hotspots for the purposes of travel to the Northern Territory from 6pm on 23 June 2021.
The Waverley Council and Woollahra Council Local Government Areas also remain as declared hotspots.
These hotspot declarations follow on from a significant increase in positive COVID-19 cases overnight and the spread of the virus across a broader geographical area in NSW. The COVID-19 outbreak in NSW has now grown to include 39 cases including three mystery cases that have not yet been linked epidemiologically. More cases are expected in coming days as contact tracing is undertaken.
The Chief Health Officer is directing anyone who arrives in the Northern Territory from 6pm on 23 June 2021 who has been to a declared NSW hotspot to undertake 14 days of mandatory, supervised quarantine at the Alice Springs or Howard Springs quarantine facilities.
People may still transit through Sydney Airport as it is not a hotspot. For a full list of declared hotspot locations visit: https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/travel/quarantine/hotspots-covid-19
A number of testing and quarantine directions are also in place for those people who have arrived in the Northern Territory before 6pm on 23 June 2021. This includes those people who have visited COVID-19 public exposure sites in NSW and are defined by health authorities as being close contacts or causal contacts.
New South Wales public exposure sites can be found at: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/latest-news-and-updates#search-suburbs
Testing and quarantine directions remain in place for Victoria, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory. A list of public exposure sites can be found at:
· Victoria: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/exposure-sites#public-exposure-sites-in-victoria
· Queensland: https://www.covid19.qld.gov.au/
· Australian Capital Territory: https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/community/travel
To arrange a COVID-19 test, please book online at coronavirus.nt.gov.au or contact the COVID-19 Hotline on 1800 490 484.
For more information on COVID-19 Australian hotspot and travel restrictions visit: https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/travel/quarantine/hotspots-covid-19
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.
· Book your COVID-19 vaccine at https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/
· If you have symptoms, stay away from others and get tested for COVID-19.
· Wash your hands with soap and water and use hand sanitiser regularly.
· Do not go to work if you feel sick.
· Maintain a physical distance of 1.5 metres where possible.
To stay up to date with the latest information visit www.coronavirus.nt.gov.au
Quotes attributable to Chief Health Officer Dr Hugh Heggie
“Declaring hotspots is never easy but from the learnings we have had, we know that we need to go hard and wide early to protect the health and safety of Territorians.”
“The outbreak in New South Wales escalated overnight with a significant increase in the number of positive cases across a broad geographical area. We know this strain of the virus is highly infectious and there are also a number of mystery cases that have not yet been connected to this outbreak.
“With school holidays starting next week and an increase in domestic travel it is important that we take these actions while NSW Health authorities work to contain the COVID-19 outbreak.
“NSW is implementing a number of health controls to restrict the spread of the virus and has been undertaking a widespread testing regime. We will continue to review the situation closely and keep the community informed.”