Northern Territory COVID-19 hotspot criteria could be applied internationally: Chief Minister Michael Gunner

THE Territory’s COVID-19 hotspot criteria could be applied internationally, which may allow travellers from virus-free countries to skip mandatory NT quarantine, Chief Minister Michael Gunner says

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CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner is looking at the possibility of applying the NT’s COVID-19 hotspot criteria internationally, which may allow travellers from virus-free countries like Vanuatu to skip mandatory quarantine.

Mr Gunner said he intends to talk more with the Federal Government about potentially expanding the COVID-19 hotspot policy overseas.

“We can’t control the international borders, all we can do is talk to [the Commonwealth] about how we might manage things,” he told the ABC.

“If you look at expanding our hotspots policy overseas it would help with how you make those travel decisions and how you handle people coming in, which would free up significant space within the country and how you manage that.”

“You might apply our hotspot policy to a country like Vanuatu or New Zealand.”

Seasonal workers from Vanuatu are already working on Territory properties, picking and packing mangoes. Charline Lolting, Annie Kintor and Bill Frazer Alling are among the workers at Arnhem Mangoes. Picture: Che Chorley

NT Farmers Association CEO Paul Burke said removing the expensive burden of having to put Vanuatu mango pickers through quarantine would be a massive relief for local farmers.

“It cost us about half a million to get the first group of 162 through,” he said.

“We hope the second group will arrive in Darwin on October 10 pending Vanuatu government approval.”

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He said they are also looking at the Solomon Islands as possible alternatives.

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