The Chief Health Officer has confirmed Greater Melbourne will be revoked as a hotspot from midday today. This means that people arriving in the Northern Territory from Greater Melbourne will no longer have to undertake mandatory supervised quarantine. Anyone currently in mandatory quarantine from Greater Melbourne will be able to exit.

Greater Melbourne is the final location to be revoked as a hotspot for the purpose of travel to the Northern Territory, as we work together as a nation to safely open our borders to interstate travel by Christmas.

Victoria has recorded no new cases of COVID-19 for 31 consecutive days and there are no active or mystery cases across the entire state. Greater Melbourne has maintained its COVID-free environment for two full replication cycles – consistent with previous decisions on removing hotspot declarations.

The Chief Health Officer will continue to review and assess the COVID-19 situation across Australia, and if at any time considers what is occurring at any location to be of a high risk to the NT, will declare a hotspot.

All people travelling to the Northern Territory will continue to be required to complete a border entry form upon arrival.

The Chief Health Officer has urged Territorians not to become complacent as we open our borders and to continue to stay COVID safe by practising high levels of personal hygiene and physical distancing.

New Chief Health Officer Directions also come into effect today to further protect the health of Territorians, as we start to travel more over the wet season and visit family and friends over the Christmas period.

As part of this, a new COVID-Safe Check-In system is being introduced across the Territory that requires customers and visitors to provide their contact details upon entry to a range of venues if spending more than 15 minutes there. This will assist our health teams to quickly act and undertake contact tracing if required.

The Northern Territory Government is introducing a new app to make it easier for customers and visitors to sign into businesses and venues. The Territory Check In app provides a contactless, secure and easy way for individuals to self-check-in and have this data stored securely by NT Health for 28 days.

The Territory Check In app is available from the Google Play Store and will be available from the Apple App Store in the coming days. Apple is currently experiencing delays due to high demand and a backlog of requests over the Thanksgiving holiday.

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 1.5m 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, stay away from others and call a doctor or the NT COVID-19 Hotline on 1800 008 002

For more information visit www.coronavirus.nt.gov.au. To access support for The Territory Check In app call 1800 490 484 or email covid19.businesshelp@nt.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Chief Health Officer Dr Hugh Heggie

“I have great confidence in revoking Greater Melbourne as a hotspot today. Victoria’s ability to beat COVID-19 has become a global success story and it now occupies a rare and envious position on the world stage. 

“The Territory is the safest place in the country, and we intend to keep it that way. While life is slowly returning to normal, we need to remember this pandemic is not yet over. We still have a way to go as work continues on a vaccine.

“I ask Territorians not to become complacent and to remain cautious as our domestic borders open and we reconnect with our family and friends. Personal behaviour is our best defence against COVID-19.’’

“It’s our Territory and our responsibility. Stay COVID safe.”