NT borders to reopen to regional Victoria next week after revoking its COVID-19 hotspot status

THE list of areas in Victoria to be allowed into the NT without quarantining from next week has been extended

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The Northern Territory will still revoke its coronavirus hotspot declaration for almost all of regional Victoria next Monday, says Chief Minister Michael Gunner.

Mr Gunner reaffirmed on Friday that the NT’s border would open to all of Victoria, with the exception of Mitchell shire and Melbourne, on November 2.

He said previous areas of concern like Greater Geelong, East Gippsland and the Macedon Ranges had now been given the all clear.

“They are solid, they are safe,” Mr Gunner said.

Greater Shepparton is the only local government area in regional Victoria with coronavirus cases, with two active cased from less than a fortnight ago.

Mr Gunner said he was not concerned about Victoria’s “ring of steel” easing, separating regional Victoria with the Greater Melbourne region, however if Premier Daniel Andrews does loosen the ring, the NT will reconsider its hotspot locations.

“With coronavirus, anything can happen. Things change quickly and if they do, we will not hesitate to act,” Mr Gunner said.

The Chief Minister also flagged that the Territory could be on track to open to Melbourne before Christmas.

“Obviously we’re in Melbourne’s hands here, but we remain on track for borders to lift between now an Christmas,” he said.

“I think all of us have family and friends who are doing it really tough in Melbourne in particular with the lockdown down there.

“If there’s no more mystery cases between now and Christmas that will do the job. I think that’s the evidence we need.”

He said the Territory has also introduced strict new consequences for companies and organisations who employ essential workers that breach their COVID-19 Management Plans.

It comes after three Victorians were recently slapped with hefty fines after they were found in breach of their plans with undertaking essential work in Tennant Creek.

“We are telling companies and organisations now that in the event of a breach, their COVID-19 Management Plan will be immediately revoked,” he said.

“They will have to submit a new plan and the Chief Health Officer will undertake a fresh review of it.

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“If the new plan includes bringing in the individuals who previously broken our laws, we can give you a pretty solid guarantee right now that your plan will go straight in the bin.”

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