NT travel rules: Tourism industry reacts to vax restrictions
Tourism operators have called on the government to change “ludicrous” rules that force Territorians returning from interstate to spend two weeks in a high-vax zone after December 20.
Northern Territory
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern Territory. Followed categories will be added to My News.
FRIDAY: DEVASTATED tourism operators have called on the government to change “ludicrous” rules that force Territorians returning from interstate to spend two weeks in a high-vaccination zone if they return home after December 20.
Emu Run Experience operator Patrick Bedford said the new border rules would devastate tourism and cost business operators and employees their livelihoods.
“There is no end date to this,” Mr Bedford said. “Originally we heard December 20 and then January 18, and now we’re hearing April, but we just don’t know.
“People should normally be booking in advance, but now they don’t know if they should be booking at all.
“Normally the season kicks off in March and we don’t have any consumer confidence over Christmas for people to make bookings for next season, for March or April.”
Mr Bedford, who also chairs Tourism Central Australia, estimates his business has lost millions since Covid started and the additional uncertainty is too hard.
“The government needs to be very detailed in its specific road map with an endgame for closures. We need to know the endgame so we can get back to business as usual. This chopping and changing is no good and also no good for the mental health of business operators and their staff,” he said.
Barkly MP Steve Edgington said the Chief Minister’s new policy would directly hit Tennant Creek residents and others living outside Darwin, Alice Springs and Katherine.
“If a fully vaccinated Barkly resident travels by vehicle to Queensland for Christmas, the only way they can return home is to drive past their front door and continue on to Alice Springs, Katherine or Darwin and spend 14 days there at their cost,” Mr Edgington posted on social media.”
The Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association have slammed the Territory Government for the mess it created by the sudden announcement of new severe Covid restrictions.
NTCA chief executive Will Evans said cattlemen and other Territorians “have tried to comply with everything the NT Government has thrown at us”.
But he said: “Everchanging goalposts have made life difficult for all of us but now our pastoralists – who live and work in some of the most remote regions of the NT – are once again copping the brunt of yet another new set of rule changes.”
The new measures, announced this week, will force all vaccinated arrivals to the Northern Territory to stay within the high-vaccination zones of Alice Springs, Katherine and Greate Darwin for 14 days from December 20.
“We understand the need to keep vulnerable Territorians safe but the ludicrous new Covid restrictions have thrown the Territory into chaos,” Mr Evans said. “The NT Government needs to fix this mess immediately.
“The new rules are tearing Territory families apart for Christmas. Instead of hugging their loved ones under the Christmas tree, boarding school students will be stuck hundreds of kilometres away from their families,” Mr Evans said.
“Station workers will be unable to go interstate and come back without being forced to stay in a major centre. Interstate governesses and remote schoolroom teachers will be isolating in a city instead of teaching their students.
“Under these rules, while the Chief Minister and members of parliament are enjoying Christmas with their families, our hardworking vaccinated pastoralists won’t be.”
“Twenty-four hours before these rules were handed down, Ministers of this Government looked pastoralists in the eye and listened to their stories of how difficult regulations had been on families in remote parts of the NT and pretended to care. The very next day the Government delivered a cruel backhander to the pastoral industry.
“NT pastoralists are sick of this Government’s empty promises. Territory families deserve better.
“Nearly two years ago the NT Government recognised the importance of the work our pastoralists are doing. Nearly two years ago the NT Government also recognised just how remote and isolated our cattle stations are and allowed station staff to quarantine on their property.
“Two years on and the wheels have fallen off. The Government is forcing those living and in the bush into two weeks of nonproductive time in an urban centre, every time they have to leave the NT.
“As an industry we have gone above and beyond to meet all Government regulations. Now the Government needs to stop being the Grinch and save Christmas for our pastoralists. Our industry has proved that we can abide by the rules and quarantine at home safely. The NT Government needs to allow pastoralists to go home.”
Sarah Cook, State President of the Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association, who represents education in the bush, said remote Territory families were left shaken and heartbroken.
“For Territory families who live, work and educate their children in the bush, this decision is particularly devastating. It will disrupt and create additional costs for accessing home tutors, who are essential in the delivery of distance education for remote primary students; and create anguish for secondary students who attend boarding school interstate.
“It is particularly distressing for parents preparing to take their children to boarding school for the very first time, faced now with the very real prospect of having to send them alone. These parents are crushed by the thought of it,” Mrs Cook said.
“Our remote families and our remote industries have respected and met all Government expectations. We call on the Territory Government to show some respect to our situation and our commitment to adhering to home quarantine requirements.”
THURSDAY: REGIONAL tourism operators and employers are devastated at the Territory Government’s latest changes to border entry rules.
Under changes announced Thursday, fully vaccinated travellers arriving in the NT from COVID-19 hot spots will no longer need to home quarantine. They will instead face two PCR tests within their first six days in the Territory and must stay in high vaccination zones such as Darwin for 14 days after arrival in the Territory. This is regardless of where they’re arriving from.
The leaders of the Territory’s two peak tourism bodies are bewildered and angry.
Tourism Top End general manager Glen Hingley said the changes were “devastating” and
Tourism Central Australia chief executive Danial Rochford said it’s “as bad as it can get”. “These decisions will have significant implications for the tourism sector in Central Australia and in particular travel in and out of Uluru,” he said. “It will also have an impact to anyone living outside of urban areas in terms of their Christmas holiday intentions. We’re facing no visitation to the Lassiter Tourism Region without guidance and without an end-date and that only heightens the uncertainty.”
He called for the Government to adopt a bubble to at least allow visitors to Uluru, the jewel in Central Australia’s tourism crown. “It needs to be understood there’s been significant work done in Mutitjulu Community (near Uluru) on vaccination rates and hopefully that effort is understood as it lessens the risk.”
Glen Hingley said he was flooded with calls for information from businesses and employees following the 11.30am announcement.
“This has thrown the industry into chaos. It has potential to destroy all consumer confidence of the people who come here,” he said.
“Effectively, regional operators have lost all their customers in the foreseeable future from December 20 and the only customers they can rely on are Territorians who haven’t been outside the Territory travelling regionally.
“It’s devastating and we’re now seeking greater clarity from Government as we speak.
“We’re seeking sensible solutions around creating travel corridors between the regions or regional precincts otherwise, without Territorians travelling, it’s hard to see any way businesses outside the high vaccinated centres remain open.
“From the beginning of the pandemic, tourism operators and employees have put health of Territorians first every time but they still have mortgages to pay, payrolls to pay, electricity bills to pay without customers for a sector that’s effectively been in lockdown since June this year. We’re pleading for some sensible solutions.”
EARLIER, WEDNESDAY: We asked seven different heads of industry before the government announced the border changes how Covid had impacted them in 2021 and what they needed out of 2022. Here’s what they said.
Alex Bruce, Hospitality NT
What approach should the Government take to Covid management beyond December 20?
The Government has managed the tricky juggling act of the health and economic challenges of Covid quite well. We hope this continues and timelines set by the Government are maintained and do not change – there already is so much uncertainty – minimising uncertainty and business interruptions should be a focus in 2022.
What preparations are you putting in place to prepare your sector for 2022?
We hope we are wrong but we don’t think we have seen the last of lockout conditions and potentially even lockdowns, especially in remote areas. This uncertainty means small businesses will continue to face cash flow challenges in those events and so our advice is to build reserves in the good times where you can.
What would you like to see changed about the CHO and Government’s current approach to Covid management as it affects your sector?
Once the vaccination rates hit their natural peak, and we are one of the highest vaxxed countries in the world, we want a definitive line drawn, no more borders, lockdowns, or mandates.
In your view or the view of the sector, which Covid management measure was the most effective?
Every public policy has effects good and bad. Covid management is no different. While lockdowns and tough borders can be seen as effective when viewed purely through a Covid infection lens they have contributed to many other health, mental, social and economic challenges. Universal community consensus probably will never be achieved but the Territory’s measures to date have proved effective at achieving the short term goal of keeping Covid out – the real challenge lays before us, how will we react with Covid circulating in our community – let’s remain calm and stick to the plan.
How much capacity does your sector have to absorb ongoing disruptions such as lockdowns in 2022?
Food, Beverage and Accommodation providers all get hit for six when borders, lockouts or lockdowns happen with smaller ‘mum and dad’ operators most at risk of getting a knockout blow if disruptions continue through 2022.
Greg Ireland, NT Chamber of Commerce
What approach should the NT Government take to Covid management beyond December 20?
As we start to see other states and territories accept the fully vaccinated with minimal quarantine requirements, the NT must follow suit or be forced to endure ongoing reduced trade due to potential decreases in visitor and resident numbers in the NT. In order to adequately plan for the future, business needs a clear and timely indication on the road map for the NT including directions, testing requirements, travel restrictions and other conditions. The risk of decreased visitor and resident numbers in the NT further demonstrate a need to substantially increase skilled worker numbers, highlighting the need for Government investment in the vetting process of skilled migration.
What risks to businesses do you see to normal operations in the first half of next year?
Essentially the risk profile for business is not anticipated to change substantially, as vaccination rates rise, the increased risk from travellers will be mitigated. However, this is clearly contingent on approaching vaccination saturation, particularly in remote locations. Any incidence of lockdown or lockout would have a substantial impact next year as it has in the past.
What preparations is industry putting in place to prepare for 2022?
Industry is screaming out for more workers and access to greater skills development. In our view there is little business can do with respect to COVID-19 other than follow the directions and processes outlined. Business has a high level of confidence in the pipeline of work coming into the NT and are prepared to invest, but delivering the required outcomes is highly dependant on access to an adequate workforce.
What would you like to see changed about the Government’s current approach to Covid management as it affects your sector?
Visibility, communication and engagement is key to allowing for the meaningful contribution of NT business. To date this has been difficult as the changing landscape has resulted in gaps in the engagement between Government and business. Being told about ‘what’s next’ is not the same as having an opportunity to contribute prior to any announcement.
In your view or the view of the sector, which Covid management measure was the most effective?
The initial onslaught of COVID-19 was devastating for NT economies, the provision of support payments by Government allowed many businesses to survive and there is no doubt the landscape today would be substantially different without this support.
Dave Malone, Master Builders NT
What approach should the Government take to Covid management beyond December 20?
I don’t think our Government, or any other for that matter, has any choice other than to have a flexible approach to Covid management.
If the two years of the pandemic have taught us anything, it is that everything keeps changing.
Even so, we are shifting from pandemic to endemic and that will demand a more ‘business as usual’ approach by all Governments. One crucial lesson that we have taken from 2021 is how quickly thinking changed when NSW decided to shift Covid strategies.
What wasn’t possible become possible overnight.
All States and Territories then adjusted and Australia is now way more open than we might have been as a result.
That showed that there is far more room around strategies than First Ministers had been prepared to contemplate up until then.
What preparations are you putting in place to prepare your sector for 2022?
The key challenge for construction in 2022 is workforce. After growing strongly in the first half of 2021, we have seen the numbers decline in the second half of the year.
Border restrictions have dampened significantly the normal movement of people to follow job opportunities. Covid has also seemingly changed attitudes, with people much less prepared to move away from family.
And for those based in the NT, new opportunities have emerged interstate and we appear to have lost workforce as a result.
Like most industries, construction will need to develop new ways of holding and attracting a workforce in 2022.
But there is only so much any industry can do when border arrangements change at the drop of a hat.
What would you like to see changed about the CHO and Government’s current approach to Covid management as it affects your sector?
Government has had an unbreakable view that Covid is a medical emergency and that it would deal with all issues behind closed doors.
And that it would tightly control information and communication as part of that strategy. Almost two years on, business still needs to listen in to daily press conferences and to remain glued to websites to understand the daily change in circumstances.
That has to change.
In your view or the view of the sector, which Covid management measure was the most effective?
Construction was deemed an essential activity in 2020.
That was then revoked in 2021. The consequences of that decision were significant for almost all construction businesses.
It also left owners nonplussed as they looked across borders to other States which had massive Covid outbreaks, that were still operating.
The shift to ‘lockouts’ late in 2021 reopened some opportunities for construction.
That decision was probably
the most significant positive
change in the year.
How much capacity does your sector have to absorb ongoing disruptions such as lockdowns in 2022?
That isn’t so much an industry question, it is one for each business. I have spoken to a large number of owners and managers and they have spent a considerable amount of their own reserves shoring up their businesses and holding their workforce’s together.
Most now say that those reserves are spent and they will have no other option but to act decisively in any future lockdown. That is why ‘lockouts’ are seen as a significant shift in Covid management.
As well, construction is heavily dependent on future investment. From mums and dads right through to major projects.
We are concerned that we have developed a medical response to Covid, but the economic response remains underdeveloped.
That can only occur if Government is prepared to bring business into the tent. Not something it has been open too up until this point.
Paul Burke, NT Farmers
What approach should the Government take to Covid management beyond December 20?
NT Farmers hope that with an increasing vaccination rate and improved COVID-19 treatments, restrictions can be gradually and responsibly lifted.
NT Farmers urge governments to keep domestic and international borders open to allow the safe movement of people and trade. Home quarantine has been a welcome development and we expect government’s to keep this option open in 2022.
NT Farmers will work with the government to extend home quarantine arrangements to farms.
What preparations are you putting in place to prepare your sector for 2022?
We are already preparing to support industry with a strong harvest workforce for 2022.
Our association is currently working on attracting workers to the industry and securing quarantine pathways for them.
What would you like to see changed about the CHO and Government’s current approach to Covid management as it affects your sector?
NT Farmers supports the successful management of COVID-19 by the CHO and the NT Government.
Thanks to their actions, we have enjoyed a largely ‘normal’ and safe way of life during the pandemic.
It is critical that the health system becomes responsive to the needs of industry.
Farmers need clarity regarding allowing domestic and international workers into the Territory and require swift decisions on quarantine arrangements.
NT Farmers hope to work closely with the Health Department to create a clear pathway for quarantining workers on farm.
In your view or the view of the sector, which Covid management measure was the most
effective?
The Howard Springs quarantine facility has been outstanding in the critical service it has provided to the nation. NT Farmers thank the staff and management for their dedication and service during the pandemic.
The government and CHO must also be recognised for their decision to include agricultural workers in the list of essential workers able to work during lockdown.
This decision helped to ensure that crops could continue to be harvested and sent to consumers around the nation.
How much capacity does your sector have to absorb ongoing disruptions such as lockdowns
in 2022?
The industry does not have any capacity to absorb hard lockdowns without a quarantine pathway in place for workers.
Therefore NT Farmers are already working closely with all governments to ensure that workers will be able to access a variety of quarantine arrangements in 2022.
Andrea Wicking, Darwin City Waterfront Retailers Association
What approach should the Government take to Covid management beyond December 20?
The road map beyond December 20 should be communicated now, prior to people leaving or shutting down for their Christmas holidays.
It is notoriously hard to get anything done in the Territory after December 20 for a good month, so anything that needs to be put in place or communicated must be done now.
Clear processes and explanation of what happens if there are future lockdowns/lockouts.
We are at 80 per cent vaccination, should the Territory be learning to live with Covid?
Therefore, advice needs to be timely, consistent, and accurate.
What preparations are you putting in place to prepare your sector for 2022?
The Darwin City Retailers Association has communicated frequently to members about what needs to take place within businesses prior to Christmas. Members are aware of the fines that businesses and individuals receive if not fully vaccinated and dealing with vulnerable people.
DCRA continues to enforce the Check In App as a matter of good business practice.
What would you like to see changed about the CHO and Government’s current approach to Covid management as it affects your sector?
A simple FAQ sheet in plain English that we can distribute to Members and the wider retail sector in the city.
Press conferences at a set time each day, and the Chief Minister/Minister turning up on time. Information from press conferences being distributed to industry organisations to assist with disseminating the correct information, instead of having to hunt it down.
In your view or the view of the sector, which Covid management measure was the most effective?
Regarding retailers, the ease of completing financial assistance grant applications in the lockdown.
The availability of several grants through the NT Government:
Small Business Survival Payment, Business Saver Grant, Business Hardship Package, Territory Business Lockdown Payment, Business Rebound and Adaption Grant.
Grant assistance still continues through the Business Growth Program including the Business Pivot Grant and Local Jobs Fund.
How much capacity does your sector have to absorb ongoing disruptions such as lockdowns in 2022?
Each lockdown and lock out has had an impact on retailers in the city.
Lockdowns followed by mask wearing sees shoppers and visitors to the city decline, as people tend to be more wary and cautious.
Lockouts, despite fully vaccinated people being able to go about their business as normal, also sees a decline in trade.
Thankfully, retailers have been bouncing back from these disruptions, but it is not something DCRA would like to see happen on a regular basis.
The city has appreciated the continued support of the community in shopping local.
Ruth Palmer, Property Council NT
What approach should the Government take to Covid management beyond December 20?
We really need to put a ‘NT Living with Covid Plan’ into practice that provides a plan or pathway to our reopening strategy. What does the Northern Territory’s Stage B of Australia’s four stage Covid plan look like? There needs to be clarity around messaging, if we have an outbreak do we go into lockdown or lockout if there’s an outbreak and at what number of cases will circumstances change? It is also important to remember that COVID-19 is still a major deterrent, and we cannot afford to be complacent.
What preparations are you putting in place to prepare your sector for 2022?
Any plan must give certainty to businesses and employers to continue investing in the Territory, not just the announcement of Covid management beyond December 20. It needs to be comprehensive and committed, and subject to radical changes as well as new variants to Covid-19. What will be the plan for international tourism, migration, students and workers? What will be the plan for domestic interstate travel/migration? What will be the ongoing constraints on businesses and events? These questions require answers.
What would you like to see changed about the CHO and Government’s current approach to Covid management as it affects your sector?
There needs to be consistency of messaging and if there’s a lockout or lockdown there has to be an instant message sent out.
How much capacity does your sector have to absorb ongoing disruptions such as lockdowns in 2022?
This comes down to tenants, rentals, landlords and their capacity to pay if we’re continuing to go through lockdowns and business closures. These impact peoples’ mental health and the concern is hardworking Territorians suffering through business closures and through lockdowns and lockouts. There are other considerations that need to be addressed and quickly, including a population plan to encourage long-term population growth.
Quentin Kilian, Real Estate Institute NT
What approach should the Government take to Covid management beyond December 20?
It will be very important for the Government to provide assurances of business continuity going forward. This will mean living up to the promises of freedoms now we are meeting the vaccinations targets they have set and not falling back on lockdowns as a ‘go to’ position. It also means opening the borders for both domestic and international travel.
What preparations are you putting in place to prepare your sector for 2022?
For our members we are very hopeful that, given the high vaccination rates in the NT and the promises that the government has made around these, that 2022 will not offer the same barriers to business that 2020 and 2021 did. That said, the real estate industry in the NT has proven itself to be agile and adaptable, finding innovative ways to operate within the boundaries placed upon it from time to time. As we really don’t know what 2022 will hold, we are hopeful it will be as normal a year as is possible.
What would you like to see changed about the CHO and Government’s current approach to Covid management as it affects your sector?
The biggest change we would like to see is consultation by Government with the business sector when they are planning to implement directives and changes that impact the business sector. While we have no expectation of being involved in the discussions leading up to these decisions – as helpful as that would be – it is imperative that government starts talking to the business community ahead of implementing their decisions and not springing them on the business community with expectations that we will act on their behalf to implement and police the policies.
How much capacity does your sector have to absorb ongoing disruptions such as lockdowns in 2022?
The real estate sector has weathered the ‘Covid storm’ very well and has learnt to adapt and adopt new ways of operating. Going forward we are hopeful that things will begin to normalise but if, for whatever reason they don’t, our agents are resilient and will look to available and emerging technologies to overcome the challenges.
More Coverage
Originally published as NT travel rules: Tourism industry reacts to vax restrictions
Join the conversation
Cops hunt for scooter snatched from 27-year-old in ‘aggravated robbery’
Northern Territory police say they’re still searching for an electric scooter snatched from a woman over the weekend. Read the latest.
Read more
10 rental reforms to solve NT’s ‘most severe’ housing crisis
Territorians continue to feel the heat of one of the most “severe housing crises in history”, with a Darwin law firm calling for 10 renters’ reforms.
Read more