Playgrounds, pools, outdoor gyms to reopen on Friday, and businesses in two weeks, as Chief Minister releases NT coronavirus exit plan

TERRITORY businesses will be able to open their doors in a fortnight as the Government announces restrictions on public playgrounds, outdoor gyms, swimming pools and waterparks in the NT will be rolled back from noon on Friday.

Restrictions on waterparks, swimming pools, public playgrounds and outdoor gyms in the NT will be rolled back from noon tomorrow. Picture: Peter Eve/Tourism NT

• NT News Editorial: Gunner’s road map will be crucial for struggling NT businesses

TERRITORY businesses will be able to open their doors in a fortnight as the Government announces restrictions on public playgrounds, outdoor gyms, swimming pools and waterparks in the NT will be rolled back from noon tomorrow.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner will today release the full details of his highly anticipated road map out of coronavirus lockdown, including how and when businesses across the NT can resume.

The NT News understands many businesses will be able to open their doors by mid-May, two weeks earlier than Mr Gunner indicated on Monday.

This could include bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants.

The Trader Bar’s Niccolo Maffezzoni is looking forward to pouring more espresso martinis when Territory bars are allowed to reopen. Picture: Glenn Campbell

The Government’s expectation is that all businesses can make decisions about opening by early June.

It comes after the Chamber of Commerce NT warned that a six-week wait to open by the end of May would be too long for some struggling businesses.

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From noon tomorrow, children will be let back into playgrounds and Territorians will be able to enjoy a swim at public swimming pools and water parks or a workout at an outdoor gym.

“I get this is a win for kids, but let’s be honest, it’s an even bigger win for parents,” Mr Gunner told the NT News.

Fishing and camping at parks across the NT, excluding Kakadu and Uluru, will also be allowed from 12pm tomorrow, with police and rangers to undertake strict crowd control.

Social distancing rules will still apply, including keeping 1.5m apart and having one person per 4 sqm.

Florence Falls, Litchfield National Park, will be open from noon on Friday. But social distancing rules apply. Pic: Tourism NT

The comprehensive “first-in-the-nation” restriction easing plan will not be a complete return to normal, with specific conditions, including limits on people and cleaning protocols, expected to be attached.

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Mr Gunner has already briefed Prime Minister Scott Morrison and will present his road map to national cabinet tomorrow.

“I said I would do whatever it takes to protect Territorians and we’ve managed to do that,” Mr Gunner said.

“But right now I just want to say thank you to Territorians.

“It’s because of them that we are the safest place in Australia, and it’s because of them that we can start moving to a new normal before the rest of Australia.”

The NT, with just three active coronavirus cases left and no new infections in more than three weeks, is tracking ahead of almost all Australian jurisdictions.

Health Minister Natasha Fyles address the media with a coronavirus update. Picture Che Chorley

Easing restrictions in the Territory comes alongside a three-pronged plan that includes maintaining strict border controls, a “rapid response plan” that involves increased testing, widespread use of the Federal Government’s COVIDSafe app and ensuring any new or possible cases are quarantined immediately.

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More than 2.8 million Australians have downloaded the COVIDSafe app nationwide, the Prime Minister said yesterday.

Mr Morrison also welcomed moves by some jurisdictions to roll back coronavirus restrictions that went beyond the national baseline measures, which will be reviewed from May 11.