Chief Minister pleads with public to abide by new coronavirus self-isolation rules

THE Chief Minister and the Territory’s leading health officials have pleaded with the Territory public to maintain personal responsibility when it comes to slowing the spread of coronavirus

Chief Minister Michael Gunner has pleaded with the Territory public to maintain personal responsibility when it comes to slowing the spread of coronavirus here. Picture: AAP Image/James Gourley

THE Chief Minister and the Territory’s leading health officials have pleaded with the Territory public to maintain personal responsibility when it comes to slowing the spread of coronavirus, with a potential 6-month prison sentence looming over people who don’t comply with rules.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner this morning assured the public that the Territory is “well prepared” as the NT braces for the effects of a possible COVID-19 outbreak.

“We’ve acted fast, we’ve put the health of Territorians first,” he said.

“We’re ahead of the game — that’s where we need to stay.”

Chief Minister Michael Gunner and Deputy Chief Health Officer, and COVID-19 health lead, Associate Professor Dianne Stephens give an update on the response to coronavirus.

Posted by The NT News on Sunday, 15 March 2020

With the announcement that all non-essential gatherings of more than 500 people should be suspended in Australia from today onwards, Territorians have been told they can access a new tool on the Secure NT website to help determine the safety or risks posed by a potential social event.

Mr Gunner said a leading decider on whether or not future events will be deemed suitable is if participants are static, or moving.

“Acting on expert advice, we will prevent non-essential static organised public gatherings,” he said.

“This requirement will be enforced in the Territory under the Public and Environmental Health Act.

“The key word is static — staying in the same place for a long time.

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“At this point, this rule will not affect attending school, or working, or uni, or catching a local bus.”

It was also revealed that Darwin’s popular weekend markets would not be affected at this stage.

The Chief Minister said he was confident in the good will of Territorians when it came to abiding by recommendations around self-isolation, although he warned that there are powers to enforce the national health plan.

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“While we do have the power we need to enforce these requirements, I do not want to have to use those powers,” he said.

“I have confidence in the good will and good character of Territorians.”