Gunner threatens to lock up coronavirus hotspot travellers to NT when borders reopen

AUSTRALIANS living in coronavirus hotspots won't be permitted free access into the Northern Territory when the borders reopen on July 17

Chief Minister Michael Gunner and NT Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker are standing firm on the July 17 date for the reopening of NT borders. Picture: Che Chorley

• Territory’s peak land councils, the NLC and CLC, call for NT borders to stay shut
• Chief Minister Michael Gunner slams suggestion NT border closures were ‘unnecessary’

AUSTRALIANS living in coronavirus hotspots won't be permitted free access into the Northern Territory when the borders reopen on July 17.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said he would do what he could to ensure Territorians were protected from a second wave of coroanvirus.

“If your suburb or local government area has been declared a hotspot by your state or territory government or by the Australian Health Protection Principle Committee, then you will not be permitted free access to the Northern Territory,” he said.

“You will be required self contained for 14 days in a regional centre, and at your own cost before you can apply. ... This direction will apply on the day of your arrival in the Territory.”

Mr Gunner said that rule would be applied to those who had travelled through a hotspot in the last 10 days.

Those who flaunted the rules would also be subject to harsher penalties.

“If someone from a hotspot breaks the rules, the risks are higher so the consequences will be higher,” Mr Gunner said.

“This will mean a much bigger fine or prison sentence of up to three years.”

“If you are from interstate, and you live in a hotspot area, your own government is telling you you shouldn’t leave your home.”

In Victoria there are six local government areas listed as hotspots, with 10 suburbs listed in particular.

Victoria has recorded 33 new coronavirus cases overnight, with the Premier announcing a testing blitz on ten suburbs with high levels of community transmission.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner is holding a press conference before an important meeting of National Cabinet. NT Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker will join him.

Posted by The NT News on Thursday, 25 June 2020

The Chief Minister said he understood Territorians were worried about a spike in Victoria, which had seen restrictions reinstated but said the Territory couldn’t wait any longer, and he would be prepared to defeat it again.

“If or when corona comes back to the Territory, we will jump on it and we will smash it, we will track it down and if we need to we will lock down the area where we find it until it is gone,” he said.

“If that means locking down Parap, we will lock down Parap. If that means locking down a remote community, we will lock down a remote community.

“I know the eventual opening of our borders worries a lot of Territorians, I get it. It worries me too. It’s a big step, a scary step.

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“I know a lot of concern comes from what’s happening in Victoria right now. I want to remind Territorians, this is why we waited.”

“We cannot wait until there are zero cases of coronavirus in Australia. We don’t know if and when that will happen. We can’t stay sharp forever. But we must do everything possible to stay as safe as possible while we take this next step.”

Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker said Territorians had to ensure their visitors also did the right thing in helping protect the NT.

“We will be open to the rest of the country, you will have family and friends who will want to come and visit you,” he said.

“Please make sure that you are communicating to them, the vulnerabilities of the Northern Territory. We have done much to enable you to enjoy the freedoms.

“Whilst the rest of the country has struggled with COVID-19. And what we’re seeing in Victoria at the moment is certainly indicative of how quick this virus can continue to spread.”

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