Health Minister Natasha Fyles says consultation is under way to find solution for ‘unfair’ travel rules

The NT government may have indicated it will adjust the travel rules to better cater for remote essential workers.

THE NT government has given its clearest indication yet it will soften the travel rules coming into effect from December 20 to cater to essential workers in remote locations following widespread criticism from major industry groups.

Under the current rules, anyone living outside the three high-vaccination centres – Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs – who leaves the Territory would be required to return to one of the centres for 14 days at their own expense before they could continue on to their remote residence.

Health Minister Natasha Fyles on Sunday said essential workers cannot be taken for granted and further consultation was under way with local authorities to find a “practical” solution.

“Essential workers are something that we have to respect that they do provide an important role,” she said.

Health Minister Natasha Fyles said essential workers cannot be taken for granted. Picture: Che Chorley

“We can’t put in place so many barriers that we don’t see important freight coming forward or healthcare being provided.”

It comes as the NT government’s Covid-19 website was updated, alluding to possible changes to the rules for essential workers in the coming days.

The teachers’ union is among several peak bodies that have censured the NT government’s reopening plan, and has called for more consultation with the workers and other stakeholders impacted.

“It appears that (NT government) decisions are made purely based on health advice, and they don’t take into account the practical realities for people’s lives,” Australian Education Union NT president Jarvis Ryan said.

“Clearly, it feels unfair to a lot of people, and I don’t blame them.”