Covid NT: Lockdown, mask mandate questions answered

Lockdown in two regions, mask mandates and check in rules. Here’s what you need to know about the NT’s latest Covid restrictions.

Covid restrictions were brought in on Monday as a response to an outbreak happening in the Katherine and Robinson River. Frequently asked questions about lockdown and the mask mandate answered by the NT Government are below.

MASK MANDATE QUESTIONS ANSWERED

DO I HAVE TO WEAR A FACE MASK AT WORK?

Workers who come into close contact with patrons, or who work in crowded environments will need to wear a mask. A face mask is not required when physical distancing can be applied.

A teacher, educator or child care worker must wear a mask where they cannot physically distance.

If you are teacher, educator or child care worker you can remove your mask for the purpose of teaching or providing child care services.

DO I HAVE TO WEAR A MASK WHILE EXERCISING?

You do not need to wear a mask when undertaking vigorous exercise such as cycling or running.

DO I HAVE TO WEAR A MASK AT A RESTAURANT OR PUB?

You will need to wear a mask when going out for dinner but you can remove it when eating and drinking.

Patrons are required to wear a mask when at the bar. Dance floors are open but you must wear a mask.

WHEN DO I HAVE TO CHECK IN?

The Territory Check-In App is mandatory for use in all NT businesses, shopping centres, venues and events. Pen and paper will still be permitted. You will be required to check in everywhere you go, no matter how long you spend at that location.

KATHERINE AND ROBINSON RIVER QUESTIONS ANSWERED

I LIVE IN ROBINSON RIVER- WHAT ARE THE RULES?

The lockdown applies to both vaccinated and unvaccinated people.

Masks must be worn at all times when leaving your place of residence. Your place of residence is where you are now. There are only five reasons to leave home. These include:

• Medical treatment, including Covid testing or vaccination
• For essential goods and services, like groceries and medications. One person per household is permitted to go to the store once per day.
• For work that is considered essential
• For one hour of outdoor exercise a day within 5 km from your home with one other person or people from your house
• To provide care and support to a family member or person who cannot support themselves. In the case of an emergency.

No travel is permitted outside of the lockdown area.

Everyone must wear a mask outside of their home.

All businesses and community centres are closed.

The school and early childhood services are closed.

Fully vaccinated essential workers and those who have had their first dose can go to work and are permitted to leave the area for work if required.

NT Health and Police teams are on the ground.

It is an offence not to comply with CHO Directions and fines will be issued for those failing to follow lockdown directions.

I LIVE IN KATHERINE- WHAT ARE THE RULES?

Masks must be worn at all times when leaving your place of residence. Your place of residence is where you are now. There are only five reasons to leave home. These include:

• Medical treatment, including Covid testing or vaccination
• For essential goods and services, like groceries and medications
• For work that is considered essential
• For one hour of outdoor exercise a day within 5 km from your home with one other person or people from your house
• To provide care and support to a family member or person who cannot support themselves. In the case of an emergency.

All businesses, retail outlets, hospitality venues, gyms, pools and community centres are closed. Cafes and restaurants are able to offer take-away and delivery services.

Schools and childcare centres in Katherine will remain open for the children of essential workers only and students doing year 12 exams.

It is an offence not to comply with CHO Directions and fines will be issued for those failing to follow lockdown directions.

I AM AN ESSENTIAL WORKER- CAN I STILL GO TO WORK?

Fully vaccinated essential workers and those that have had their first dose, can go to work and are permitted to leave the area for work purposes if required.

Essential workers leaving lockdown areas may do so to perform their work only if they are fully vaccinated or have received their first dose. If you can work from home you must work from home.

You must follow the stay at home direction when you are not performing your essential work.

Masks must be worn when outside of your usual place of residence.

WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR TRAVELLING IN AND OUT OF THE LOCKDOWN AREA?

All people are required to remain at home during the lockdown. You cannot leave the lockdown area to travel to another location in the Territory.

Those people in the lockdown area are permitted to leave the Northern Territory but can only leave by air. You must drive directly to the airport and only stop for rest breaks and fuel.

You will be subject to the border controls in place at the state or Territory that you are travelling to.

You can transit through a lockdown area if required but not must stop, unless for fuel.

Example: If a person is staying in Mataranka but lives in Pine Creek, the person can travel through the Katherine region as long as they do not exit their vehicle except to refuel. If the person can avoid stopping this should be encouraged. When refuelling it is important to use hand hygiene, contactless payment, wear a mask and maintain physical distancing. The person is not permitted to buy food or other items when they stop.

Interception points have been established to control travel in and out of the area.

WHAT BUSINESSES ARE OPEN?

The following types of business may remain open for the provision of contactless collection or delivery of pre-ordered goods only:

a hardware store;

a pet store;

Example: Bunnings will not be open for the purpose entering the store and browsing. If you need goods from Bunnings or from other essentials goods providers that aren’t food, groceries and pharmacy outlets, you must order the goods online first. You are then permitted to visit the store and collect them.

CAN I LEAVE MY HOME TO FEED MY UNATTENDED ANIMALS WITHIN THE LOCKDOWN AREA?

You can leave home to feed an unattended animal like a horse, or an absent neighbour’s dog. If the animal is outside the lockdown area, it is preferable if someone else can assist.

CAN I MOVE HOME WHILE IN LOCKDOWN?

Yes you can, but try to postpone this if possible. You can only move to a location within the specified lockdown area where you currently reside. You cannot move outside of the lockdown area unless you are moving interstate and travelling by air. All health directions must be followed and wearing a mask is mandatory. The use of professional removalists is preferred as they are considered essential workers.

Those people in the Darwin and Katherine region who need to leave the Northern Territory by air will be subject to the border controls in place at the state or Territory that you are travelling to. This may include 14 days of quarantine in some jurisdictions.

It is recommended you check the travel requirements of the state health department for advice and quarantine requirements.

WILL PUBLIC TRANSPORT STILL OPERATE?

Public transport will continue to operate during the lockdown.

Masks must be worn at all times when travelling on public transport. It is important to remember to wash your hands and sanitise.

I HAVE BEEN TO A PUBLIC EXPOSURE SITE. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Get a COVID-19 test, isolate, and await test results or further instructions.

Keep up-to-date with the list of NT COVID-19 Public Exposure Sites

You can arrange a COVID-19 test by booking online or contacting the COVID-19 Hotline on 1800 490 484. NT Health will be in contact to provide you with further advice.

I AM A CONTACT OF A CLOSE CONTACT, WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?

If you are a contact of a close contact you need to remain where you are, isolate and book a COVID-19 test. Any household members of a close contact should also isolate separately from the individual until you have returned a negative result, unless otherwise advised.

CAN I LEAVE HOME TO COLLECT MY CHILD AS PART OF SHARED PARENTING ARRANGEMENTS?

If you have a shared parenting arrangement, whether that arrangement is informal or court ordered, you can travel to collect and drop off children.

Masks must be worn when outside of your usual place of residence. You do not have to wear a mask when travelling in your car if you are on your own or travelling with household members.

Example: If a child normally resides with one parent on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, and the other parent on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, this arrangement can continue. One parent can leave their home to collect the child and return to their home. They must wear a face mask when they are outside of their home or car. The child does not need to wear a mask if they are under 12 year, however all children should be encouraged to wear a mask. Children over 12 years are required to wear a mask.

CAN I LEAVE HOME TO GIVE BLOOD?

Yes, you can leave your home to give blood. This is a medical reason for which you are allowed to leave your home.

You must wear a mask when outside of your usual place of residence.

Originally published as Covid NT: Lockdown, mask mandate questions answered