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COVID-19 Update: Testing Requirements expanded for Brisbane, inclusive of Byron Bay

Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet

The Chief Health Officer has expanded COVID-19 testing requirements for those people who have arrived in the Northern Territory from areas in Queensland and New South Wales following a number of new cases.

The Chief Health Officer has directed that all people who arrived in the Northern Territory from the City of Ipswich, Logan City, Redland City, and Gladstone Region Local Government Areas since 25 March 2021, or from Byron Shire Council LGA in New South Wales since 27 March, must self-quarantine and get a COVID-19 test in the next 72 hours and must remain in self-quarantine until a negative test is returned. 

These expanded testing requirements are in addition to testing requirements for people who have arrived in the Northern Territory from 20 March 2021 from the City of Brisbane and Moreton Bay Region Local Government Areas to self-quarantine and get tested. Anyone who has arrived in the NT from these areas between 12 March and 11:59pm on 19 March and who are showing any symptoms of COVID-19 must self-quarantine and get tested.

This does not include those people who transited through Brisbane Airport.

COVID-19 Hotline operating hours have been extended and our staffing capacity has been increased to meet expected demand.

Call the COVID-19 Hotline on 1800 008 002 to book your test. For all other enquiries phone 1800 490 484.

Please register your call when prompted and don’t call the hotline more than once. We will return your call as soon as possible. When we call you back it will be from a no-caller ID number, so please ensure that you are ready to answer.

The COVID-19 Hotline team responded to more than 2,600 calls yesterday, Sunday 28 March 2021.

If you are a Territorian intending to travel to Brisbane you are advised to rethink your plans. If you are from Brisbane and are an intending to travel to the Northern Territory you are advised to rethink your plans.

The Chief Health Officer will continue to review and assess the COVID-19 situation in Brisbane 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.
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