Struggling NT businesses call for clarity on borders reopening date

TERRITORY businesses have called for clarity on when borders will reopen, with some saying they won’t bother operating until tourism begins again.

Darwin Military Museum director Norman Cramp says the museum won’t reopen until the NT borders do. Picture: Keri Megelus

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TERRITORY businesses have called for clarity on when borders will reopen, with some saying they won’t bother operating until tourism begins again.

It comes as the NT closes in on two months since the last positive case was recorded. However, Chief Minister Michael Gunner’s 30-day border preparation period means more and more of the dry season is slipping away.

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Darwin Military Museum director Norman Cramp. Picture: Keri Megelus

Darwin Military Museum director Norman Cramp said the museum wouldn’t be reopening until borders did.

“By far the majority of our business is through tourists and tourism,” he said.

“We don’t even cover costs here during the wet season and opening before the borders reopen would be financially unviable and unsustainable for us.”

But Mr Cramp said it was hard for the Government to set a date so far out.

“The sooner the borders are open the better but we’re mindful this is all about public health and safety and we’re certainly not advocating anybody rush into the borders,” he said.

“I think in reality it’s almost impossible for any government to set a date. There have been more cases come to light interstate and so while that’s happening no government is going to open their borders.”

Noodle House owner Nelson Jong in his restaurant. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford.

Noodle House owner Nelson Jong said despite opening for dine-in customers, businesses were struggling and needed to know when southerners would be allowed in.

“At the moment we don’t know what’s going to happen,” he said.

“I think to make it viable again for us to survive, the border needs to be open sooner rather than later.

“We can’t rely on locals, there are too many options and people have lost their jobs so there is not a lot of money.”

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Mr Jong said since he reopened on May 15, business had slowed compared to when diners weren’t allowed in the restaurant.

“It’s very slow, it’s actually less than when we were doing takeaway. It was a lot easier than opening now,” he said.

“The takeaway sales have all disappeared, I guess because more venues opened up so people have more choices.”

However, businesses are aware of the virus threat and only want it to be done safely.