NT businesses told to remove easy access to hand sanitiser due to uptick in consumption of product

Territory businesses have been told to remove hand sanitiser from publicly accessible areas, as its consumption increases Territory-wide. Find out more.

Priceline Alice Springs staff members Mitchell Rosewood (left) and Darcy McKinnon in February, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Hand sanitiser consumption in the Territory has increased according to the cops – despite NT Health quietly writing to businesses asking the product is removed from publicly accessible areas.

In a letter sent to businesses in the beginning of February, NT chief health officer Christine Connors told business owners “it is not necessary” for them “to supply hand sanitiser for use in your business setting”.

NT chief health officer Dr Christine Connors. Picture: Supplied

Hand sanitiser generic

“Unfortunately a small number of individuals can misuse hand sanitiser,” the letter reads.

“I now encourage you to remove supplies of hand sanitiser from publicly accessible areas.”

The move is backed by Territory police, according to a NT police spokesperson, who said the department is aware of the letter.

“The prevalence of hand sanitiser consumption has increased and is not isolated to one location in the NT,” the spokesperson said.

“While hand sanitiser has a legitimate use in some settings, NT Police along with other frontline NTG agencies and support services are noting an increase in the dangerous consumption of hand sanitiser and believe that the removal of easily accessible bottles will reduce that risk.

“Hand sanitiser is not a regulated product under the Liquor Act.”

The letter comes months after NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy told this masthead he “might” be engaging with industry to treat hand sanitiser similar to deodorants and glues.

“I’m hearing they’re drinking hand sanitiser,” he said to this masthead in December.

“They’re actually buying hand sanitiser and zero beer and mixing it together.”

Currently in the NT supermarkets have aerosol deodorants under lock and key to stop its potential misuse.

Police Commissioner Michael Murphy. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

In 2023, some Alice Springs pharmacies took matters into their own hands and stopped selling hand sanitiser due to “misuse”.

In the letter, Ms Connors cites the conclusion of Covid-19 health directives as the main driver behind the request – one of which stipulated hand sanitiser be available for the public upon entering a business.

“These directions are no longer in force, and in particular, the provision of hand sanitiser for use by persons entering the business premises is no longer required.” the letter said.

An NT Health spokesperson said the letter was sent to retailers in Central Australia to “clarify it is no longer a requirement to provide hand sanitiser to the general public”.

“NT Health recommends retailers who continue to provide hand sanitiser ensure it is properly secured,” the spokesperson said.

“NT Health has not seen widespread consumption of hand sanitiser. Over the past two years, there have been isolated occasions, where it has come to public attention.”

Originally published as NT businesses told to remove easy access to hand sanitiser due to uptick in consumption of product