Things will never be the same as historic Northern Territory border restrictions take effect
THE world as we know it as Territorians has changed forever as historic new NT border restrictions and regulations have come into effect to combat the spread of coronavirus
Alice Springs
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- NT’s new border restrictions begin: All your questions answered
- Strict new rules kick in for those entering NT as border closes
TERRITORIANS and newcomers have made it into the Northern Territory in the final hours before historic border restrictions were enforced to help combat the spread of coronavirus.
At the remote Northern Territory/South Australian border, motorists scrambled to get back home in both directions before the unprecedented measure was initiated by the Territory Government.
The NT’s borders closed at 4pm meaning everyone who arrives in the Territory from now on must be quarantined for 14 days — unless they have a special exempion — to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
When they heard about the Northern Territory’s tight border restrictions on Saturday, Darwin couple Annette and Barry Bansgrove decided to race home from Victoria.
After driving up to 12 hours a day, the pair crossed the border at 1pm on Tuesday, just two hours before the deadline.
Mrs Bansgrove said they will take the rest of the journey slowly after rushing to make the deadline.
“It’s good to be home,” she said.
“We were in Melbourne for a long time and it’s quite crazy down there,” she said.
Also spotted at the border was Victorian woman Georgie Mattingley, who, after considering a move to Alice Springs for months, made the decision in an instant when the strict rules were announced.
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“I found out about the border closure on Saturday afternoon; I read it in the news at 4pm,” she said.
Ms Mattingley will go into self-isolation despite arriving before the deadline.
“I’m going to take it pretty seriously,” she said.
“Imagine if I was the sicko and I’ve brought it into Alice Springs and it ravages the community.”
Afer all the lead-up the eventual border closure seemed a bit of an anti-climax.
About three-quarters of an hour after the deadline, the only person to have crossed from South Australia to the NT was a truck driver.
NT Police will provide resources for a 24-hour presence and they have set up checkpoints on the main highways – Victoria, Stuart and Barkly – on or near the three borders with the Territory.
The Australian Defence Force also have small teams operating in a support capacity on major roads.
Chief Minister Michael Gunner said the strict border controls were for all access points to the NT: roads, airports, train stations, ports and airports.
“Whether you are local or not, this applies to you,” Mr Gunner said.
The quarantine will be enforceable by law.
People arriving in the NT will be required to commit to the quarantine, and tell officials where they will stay.
Exemptions will apply to essential personnel, such as health officials, flight crews, freight workers and Defence personnel.
Travellers will also be able to apply for exemptions under compassionate grounds.
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