The Chief Health Officer has revoked all existing directions in relation to Victoria and has issued updated testing and quarantine directions.

The re-issuing of Chief Health Officer Directions for Victoria is off the back of an emerging cluster of nine cases, and further investigations from Victorian health authorities as to the origin of cases.

The Victorian Department of Health has a three tier, risk-based system for exposure sites.

In line with this tier system, Chief Health Officer has now directed:  

• Tier 1: Anyone who has arrived, or intends to arrive, into the Northern Territory and has visited any Tier 1 public exposure site(s) at the prescribed dates and times, must 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 Tier 1 public exposure site, regardless of whether they return a negative COVID-19 test.
• Tier 2: Anyone who has arrived, or intends to arrive, into the Northern Territory and has visited any Tier 2 public exposure site(s) at the prescribed dates and times, must immediately self-isolate, get a test and remain in self-quarantine until a negative is returned.
• Tier 3: Anyone who has arrived, or intends to arrive, into the Northern Territory and has visited any Tier 3 public exposure site(s) at the prescribed dates and times, 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.

Additionally, anyone who has arrived into the Northern Territory from Greater Melbourne since 6 May 2021 and is showing any symptoms of COVID-19 must self-isolate, get a test within 72 hours, and remain in self-quarantine until a negative test is returned.

Local Government Areas that constitute Greater Melbourne can be found here: https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/travel/quarantine/hotspots-covid-19

Victorian public exposure sites have changed significantly in the past 24 hours, and impacted individuals are required to identify themselves to Northern Territory health authorities, and follow the relevant tier directions.

All public exposure sites can be found here: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/exposure-sites#public-exposure-sites-in-victoria.

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 are seeing another outbreak evolving in another Australian city. There have now been more than 20 such outbreaks in Australia, and we can expect more.

“Our response in the Territory must be to remain vigilant and implement directions rapidly that keep our community safe.

“This revised set of directions pertaining to the emerging Victorian cluster is proportionate to the risk at hand, as Victorian health authorities work to trace these cases and link them together.

“Public exposure sites have expanded significantly since my initial directions yesterday, and I urge anyone who has been in Victoria to keep an eye on these changing sites. 

“The new cases we are seeing are all linked back to a man who travelled to Victoria from South Australia in early May. The 9 new cases that have been identified this week can all be linked together and are mostly close household contacts.  

“Victorian Health Authorities have been able to quickly trace these cases and pick up this cluster thanks to a symptomatic Victorian who came forward for testing, and I encourage all Territorians, if they are showing any symptoms, to do the same”.