Keeping Territorians Safe: Updated Roadmap to Reopening

NT Government

The Territory Labor Government is strengthening its roadmap to keep Territorians safe and reduce the spread of COVID-19 as we transition to reopening.

Three changes will come into effect from next week:

1) Stopping interstate arrivals who are not fully-vaccinated:

From Monday 22 November, anyone travelling to the Territory must be fully-vaccinated, regardless of where they are travelling from.

Currently, unvaccinated arrivals from red zones are banned from entering the Territory. From Monday, that will apply to arrivals from any location – including green zones.

The only exemptions for unvaccinated arrivals from green zones will be for returning Territorians, extremely limited essential personnel and some compassionate grounds. These approved arrivals will be required to test and isolate on arrival.

2) Seven-day home quarantine for arrivals from red zones:

From Monday 22 November, the Territory will introduce seven-day home quarantine for fully-vaccinated arrivals from red zones.

This follows a successful 14-day home quarantine pilot program.

To be eligible for seven-day home quarantine, fully-vaccinated travellers must:

· Have returned a negative COVID PCR test within 72 hours of coming to the Territory;

· Take a rapid antigen test on arrival at the airport, or at the first regional centre if travelling by road;

· Undertake seven days of home quarantine in an approved dwelling in a high vaccination zone;

· Get tested on day five of quarantine, and days eight and fourteen after exiting quarantine;

· Stay in the high vaccination zone in the week after exiting quarantine, but stay away from high-risk areas such as aged care, health care (except as needed) and correctional facilities; and

· Use the Go to Go app.

Like in the pilot, people in home quarantine can stay with other fully-vaccinated members of a household, however the hosts will not have to undertake the same testing regime – they can continue to work and go about their lives.

3) Rapid antigen testing for arrivals from red zones:

From Monday 22 November, rapid antigen testing will be stood up at all Territory airports that receive interstate flights as well as regional centres with arrivals by road. These tests will be used for fully-vaccinated arrivals from red zones.

From 20 December, the Territory will introduce rapid antigen testing for all fully-vaccinated arrivals into the Territory. Home quarantine for fully-vaccinated arrivals from red zones will end five days before Christmas, but an ongoing testing requirement will continue.

As usual, unvaccinated people from red zones are not permitted into the Territory. Returning Territorians and those with approved exemptions must enter supervised quarantine for 14 days at their own expense.

Quotes from Chief Minister Michael Gunner:

“We have kept the Territory safe. And now we are continuing to keep the Territory safe – while also getting the Territory open in time for Christmas.

“The ability to now rapidly test people on arrival in the Territory is a game-changer.

“It gives us an extra layer of protection, and gives us the confidence to start moving away from home quarantine.

“I want to thank every Territorian for helping us get to this point. We have been the safest and the best in the world.”

/Public Release. View in full here.