The 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 approach is aligned with the Victorian risk-based system, to ensure that directions are based on the best available evidence of risk.

The NT Chief Health Officer is therefore directing:

• Tier 1 (A): Anyone who arrives in the Northern Territory from 12.01am on 12 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 (either Alice Springs or Darwin), including by road. 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 1 (B): Anyone who arrived into the Northern Territory between 5 May 2021 and 12.00am on 12 May 2021 to 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 5 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 5 May 2021, and until otherwise directed, must monitor their 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 that the list of Victorian public exposure sites will expand as more locations are identified by contract 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 directions. 

This advice comes off the back of a man in his 30’s returning a positive COVID-19 test after leaving mandatory, supervised quarantine in Adelaide and developing symptoms after returning home to Victoria having completed his 14-day stay. 

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

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

“We find ourselves in a position where we need another swift and proportionate response to the emerging COVID-19 situation in Victoria. 

“The Northern Territory response targets those venues where a new positive case is known to have been present, and limits restrictions to those individuals who have been to those venues. 

“This approach is consistent with other jurisdictions in Australia and follows the advice from the Victorian public health authorities and the AHPPC, and an expert panel of public health advisors from the Northern Territory. These measures are necessary to protect the people of the Northern Territory.   

“The recent case in NSW and this new case in Victoria are a very important reminder of how absolutely vital it is for individuals who are symptomatic to come forward and be tested. 

“These recent events also reinforce the importance of travellers within Australia continuing to use masks in airports and during air travel. People will remember that the recent traveller to Victoria from Perth wore a mask throughout his flight to Melbourne and there was no transmission on the aircraft. 

“Similarly, the positive case that I am now responding to wore a mask in transit from Adelaide to Melbourne, I have no doubt this will prove to be an important protection in this case. Despite this, I am aware that compliance with mask wearing in airports is diminishing and would ask all Territorians to support this important measure.

“As they have done throughout this epidemic, Chief Health Officers will continue to monitor the situation in Victoria and elsewhere in Australia, and I will make adjustments to my directions, should this become necessary. Thank you to all Territorians and to our visitors for their cooperation with these measures.”