The Chief Health Officer (CHO) is directing people who have been to the City of Brisbane and Moreton Bay Regional Council Local Government Areas (LGAs) to check COVID-19 public exposure sites and monitor for symptoms, effective immediately.
The CHO is directing any person who has arrived in the Northern Territory since 19 September 2021, or who will arrive in the NT and has been to a Queensland COVID-19 public exposure site at the dates and times specified to:
· Any person defined as a ‘close contact’ by Queensland health authorities 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 Queensland COVID-19 case location, regardless of whether they return a negative COVID-19 test.
· Any person identified as a ‘casual contact’ by Queensland health authorities must isolate, get a COVID-19 test and remain in self-quarantine until a negative is returned.
· Any person who this direction applies to must check the Queensland Health COVID-19 case locations website at least once per day to make sure they comply if a place they have been to becomes a COVID-19 case location.
Queensland public exposure sites can be found at: here
Strict border controls are 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 except for returning residents, or those who have obtained prior approval to enter.
The CHO 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.
It is very important that if you have symptoms, you get tested for COVID-19. Book your COVID-19 test online at here or contact the COVID-19 Hotline on 1800 490 484.
Quotes attributable to Chief Health Officer Dr Hugh Heggie
“To ensure we continue to manage risks cautiously, it is critical Territorians who have been to these areas of concern stay up-to-date with the latest advice from the Queensland health authorities.
“As it is currently school holidays, please remember that interstate travel remains a risk and to regularly check the NT COVID-19 website here for hotspot and border entry information.
“Getting the vaccine reduces your risk of severe illness if you contract COVID-19 and protects you, your family and your community, so please don’t delay and book your appointment today.”
