Where can I get more information?

The general information hotline number is 1800 518 055.

Why have decisions been made this way?

Health experts have based decisions on the best available evidence and advice and staged these with consideration of community values and social and economic needs. The evidence suggests the risk of transmitting the disease is lower when people participate in outdoor activities and maintain physical distancing. This is the reason why Northern Territory Government have created the road map to the new normal starting with allowing more outdoor activities first.

OTHER CORONAVIRUS NEWS

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QANTAS, Jetstar plan flights between Darwin and other Australian capitals from June

RESTAURANTS AND PUBS

When will restaurants, pubs and cafes open?

15 May (alcohol can only be served with a meal).

If I go to the pub, can I stay for eight hours and order food every two hours?

Restaurants, cafes, pubs with food, and outdoor eating venues with food will open on 15 May. You can only be in attendance for two hours. This means you cannot stay longer than two hours at a venue.

I want to go clubbing. When can I do that?

5 June

SPORT

When can I play golf?

From 1 May.

When will gyms open?

15 May

When will netball start up again?

Training for netball competitions on 15 May but actual competitions can start on 5 June.

When will footy start?

5 June

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Can I attend a training session?

You can attend training sessions for non-contact sport from 1 May. For contact sports, from 15 May you can attend training sessions as components of the session can be non-contact. For example, coaches can develop programs where participants do not touch one another but can participate in non-contact activity such as running, stretching, strength training, ball drills etc. Coaches need to apply the principles of physical distancing. From 5 June, all sporting competitions can recommence.

Should you clean fitness equipment and playground equipment before use?

Yes wipe down equipment before and after use and use hand sanitiser before and after touching surfaces. You do have a personal and community responsibility to practice physical distancing and hygiene practices when in the community using equipment accessible to everyone.

With all students now back at school without physical distancing, why can’t all junior sports be restarted?

Junior sports training will commence on 15 May and competition from 5 June

GETTING OUTDOORS

When will fishing be back to normal?

From 1 May people can go fishing, boating, and sailing with others. Apply the physical distancing principles when going out on a boat. Ensure each person can maintain 1.5m from people not from their household.

If I reside in Darwin can I go fishing off the Tiwi Islands and grab some lunch onshore?

No. Non-essential travel is not permitted into or through any biosecurity zones.

Do I need to take hand sanitiser to the playground?

Yes ensure you take hand sanitiser with you and use before and after contacts with surfaces of

equipment touched by more than one person.

I have read the physical distancing and hygiene principles and the information in Stage 1 about outdoor spaces but I still can’t work out if I am allowed to do an activity?

If your activity is outdoors and you apply the physical distancing principles and observe the biosecurity act it is reasonable to think you can do the activity. If you cannot apply the principles do not do the activity.

PARKS AND CAMPGROUNDS

What is expected of Territorians when they arrive at outdoor areas after noon Friday?

Territorians will have the opportunity to safely spend this long weekend camping, swimming or walking through our beautiful parks and reserves & enjoying the Territory lifestyle that we all love.

With many people expected to converge in the same spot in different parks, how will the

Government be making sure people are adhering to physical distancing restrictions?

This is the first significant step the Territory is taking to adjust its coronavirus-related restrictions. Easing restrictions will actually increase responsibility on all Territorians to keep doing the right thing.

We ask Territorians to do the right thing:

● abide by physical distancing rules

● adhere to appropriate hygiene

● if the carpark is full, go elsewhere and/or come back at a later time

● respect Rangers and NT Police

If people do not adhere to distancing rules, will they be asked to leave the park? Will there be any other potential action taken like fines?

There will be limits for accessing parks and reserves. Numbers of vehicles in car parks and people in swimming holes might be capped, meaning people may get turned away from popular locations. The dry season is just beginning so there is plenty of time to enjoy what the Territory has to offer.

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It is expected large numbers will attempt to enter Litchfield National Park. How will the

Government ensure there are safe numbers and overcrowding is avoided?

Police and rangers will be out and about. Territorians can expect to see them at any Territory park and reserves.

What will happen if there is widespread non-compliant behaviour at NT parks? Could it lead to restrictions on outdoor activities being put back in place?

We ask that Territorians are patient and respect rangers and police.

Is there anything else Territorians should keep in mind before heading outdoors this weekend?

The restrictions and closures exist for very good reasons. Our Parks and Reserves will only stay open if Territorians do the right thing this weekend.

Which parks and reserves are open?

Territorians are not able to cross biosecurity zone borders simply to visit a park. Only locals within that area may enter parks that are open, within the biosecurity zone.

For which parks are open, visit this page.

OTHER LIFESTYLE ACTIVITIES

When will cinemas open?

All cinemas will be open from 5 June.

When will beauty salons re-open?

15 May (facial therapies to begin 5 June)

When will casinos and pokies re-open?

5 June

When can massage services start?

15 May (non-facial)

When can cosmetic and laser surgery start?

5 June

Will people still be required to keep 1.5 metres away from each other when they gather outside?

Yes you have a personal responsibility to yourself, your family and friends and the community to follow the physical distancing principles.

Ensure you:

● A minimum space of 1.5 metres between you and other people that aren’t from your household

● Reduce the size of gatherings

● If you need to be facing another person (not from your household) and closer than 1.5 metres apart minimise contact to less than 15 minutes.

Can people come over to my house for a BBQ, party or a visit?

People can attend your house from 1 May. Everyone needs to consider their personal and community responsibility when socialising with family and friends. Health experts suggest gatherings of people should be kept to smaller numbers. Ensure your backyard allows for 1.5m between people and hygiene principles are followed. Remember if you are unwell stay home or cancel your social event and limit the number of guests in your home.

Will there be any additional health measures in place at the Mindil Markets and other markets?

All businesses including markets will need to apply physical distancing and hygiene principles. People attending these markets will need to do the same.

Can I have my child’s birthday party in the park?

Yes you can, but you need to consider the physical distancing and hygiene principles and apply these.

Communion requires the sharing of a cup, can this practice continue?

COVID-19 is spread through droplets and is most likely spread through close contact with a person while they are infectious or in the 24 hours before their symptoms appear. If you follow the principles you can reduce the spread of COVID-19. The expert health advice states you should avoid sharing cups.

Will the Government put on an event for Territory Day?

No, major events will be considered at a later stage as one of the last Stages in the road map to the new normal.

FOR BUSINESS OWNERS

I am a nightclub owner, I sell beverages but not food. When can I open?

Health experts have considered complex indoor activities to open on 5 June with a COVID-19 safety plan in place.

I am a business owner, what do I need to do in order to trade when it’s appropriate to do so?

As COVID-19 restriction gradually relax, business owners can prepare to re-open or change their approach to their business, ensuring their workplace is applying physical distancing and hygiene measures. You will need to complete a COVID-19 Safety Plan Checklist which will be available from 5 May for businesses that are looking to resume trade from 15 May.

What is the checklist COVID-19 Safety Plan Checklist?

This is a tool for business and community groups to see how they will manage their obligations regarding applying the physical distancing and hygiene principles prior to the opening of their service. The checklist asks a series of questions regarding these principles of COVID-19. The checklist will be available online at coronavirus.nt.gov.au from 5 May. By 5 June all Territory businesses, services, facilities and organisations should have their own COVID-19 Safety Plan.

Can I take my inside business outdoors?

Yes, if you can apply the physical distancing and hygiene principles to an outdoor space.

What is the health advice to say it is safe to have no limit on outdoor gatherings but we cannot open restaurants and bars?

The evidence suggests the risk of transmitting COVID-19 is lower when people participate in outdoor activities and maintain physical distancing. This is the reason why Northern Territory Government have created the road map to the new normal in incremental Stages.

When can retail shops open?

Retails operators have not been closed and can operate following the principles.

Territorians are encouraged to support local and shop at their leisure, being mindful of physical distancing and sanitising their hands. People in biosecurity areas are encouraged to shop in these areas but need to consider if they leave their area they will need to quarantine for 14 days prior to returning.

OTHER FAQ

If we get even one new case, will things be shut back down?

If we get community transmission Northern Territory Government will seek expert health advice in and put in place actions as per the Chief Health Officer Directions.

What can people be fined for?

Fines can be issued by Police or Environmental Health Officers for failing to abide by the Chief Health Officer Directions issued under section 56 of the Public and Environmental Health Act 2011. This includes failing to comply with quarantine requirements, breaching a bio security checkpoint or failing to follow any other public health direction. In addition to this, the NTG recently passed legislation making Spitting or coughing at a Territory worker is

a $5495 offence and offenders will potentially face jail time.

When will borders open?

Borders will be the last of the restrictions to open. A timeline cannot be given at this time. Understand the Northern Territory Government is doing this to keep the community safe and slow the spread of COVID-19.

It’s been three weeks since out last case. Why not reopen everything except the borders?

The road map to the new normal is based on the principles derived from the best available scientific evidence and advice, applied in the context of the NT.