The Chief Health Officer has declared the Australian Capital Territory as a hotspot for the purposes of travel to the Northern Territory. This follows the identification of a case, with no known source, and a number of unexpected positive waste water results across the ACT.
Anyone travelling from a declared hotspot is not permitted to enter the Northern Territory without an approved exemption.
Those with an approved exemption to travel, who have been to the Australian Capital Territory since 5 August 2021, and arrive in the Northern Territory after 4.30pm on 12 August 2021, will be required to undertake 14 days of mandatory supervised quarantine at the Alice Springs or Howard Springs quarantine facilities.
The person must remain in quarantine until noon of the 14th day after they were at the hotspot location.
Anyone already in the Northern Territory who has been in the Australian Capital Territory since 5 August 2021 must immediately isolate, get tested for COVID-19 and remain in self-isolation until a negative test is returned.
To book a COVID-19 test, book online at https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/ or contact the COVID-19 Hotline on 1800 490 484.
Strict new border controls are now in place for all people travelling to the NT from a declared hotspot or public exposure site. The border controls prohibit entry into the NT unless you are a returning resident, or have obtained prior approval to enter.
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 and vaccinations for all those eligible.
- Book your COVID-19 vaccine
- Check in using The Territory Check In App every time, everywhere
- 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
Quotes attributable to Chief Health Officer Dr Hugh Heggie:
“The ACT has gone into a seven-day lockdown, to reduce any spread of COVID-19. In order to protect the health and safety of Territorians, the ACT will be a declared a hotspot for the purposes of travel to the NT.
“Travelling interstate at this time, continues to remain a risk, particularly with COVID-19 prevalent across the eastern states. I urge anyone travelling interstate to reconsider your plans.
“Our strict new border measures also require anyone travelling to the NT from a declared hotspot, that is not a returning resident, to apply for approval to enter the NT. Do not travel to the NT if you do not have all of the approvals, otherwise you will be turned away.”