Chief Minister reveals NT border will reopen July 17
CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner says the NT’s borders will reopen on July 17 and he’s ruled out any possibility of establishing a travel bubble with other states before then
Northern Territory
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern Territory. Followed categories will be added to My News.
CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner says the NT’s borders will reopen on July 17 and he’s ruled out any possibility of establishing a travel bubble with other states before then.
Mr Gunner announced today that travellers from all states and territories will be allowed into the NT without a mandatory 14-day quarantine, effective from 12.01am on Friday, July 17.
“This morning I received medical advice that community transmission down south is now tracking at an acceptable risk level,” he said.
“Based on the evidence, our Chief Health Officer recommends a 28-day assessment period before opening our borders – which is two COVID-19 replication cycles.
“That is why we are waiting until next month.”
MORE TOP NEWS
NT makes history and becomes first in nation to officially eradicate coronavirus
Police investigating alleged altercation between CLP Senator and her chief-of-staff
Revealed: Cost of prepping Inpex village and NT hospitals for COVID-19
The Chief Minister also ruled out the possibility of opening up a travel bubble with other states.
“We have legal advice that travel bubbles are not consistent with the Constitution, because we are not a state that creates a bigger legal risk for us than it would for others,” he said.
“I also have advice from the police commissioner, that will be difficult to implement and manage.”
Mr Gunner said he expected to cop some criticism for not opening borders earlier.
“I know, July, 17 is too far away for some people,” he said.
“I know I can’t make everyone happy, but I can keep people safe, and alive. That is why I am listening to the expert medical advice, like I have always done.
It comes after South Australia opened its borders to NT, WA and Tasmania from midnight Tuesday.
Despite mounting pressure from industry groups, the Chief Minister refused to follow SA’s lead and open the Territory’s border early.
“I’ve been straight with you the whole time about how we are making these decisions, and I’m not breaking my word now,” he said.
Chamber of Commerce NT chief executive Greg Ireland and Hospitality NT chief executive Alex Bruce said the borders needed to be opened soon before more economic damage was done.
“There’s a financial cliff approaching for those businesses and without the borders open there’s no opportunity to get to the volumes we need to get to,” Mr Ireland said.
NEW OFFER: Get amazing Sennheiser earbuds (RRP: $499) with NT News subscription deal
MORE TO COME
Originally published as Chief Minister reveals NT border will reopen July 17