About 8000 people have been given exemptions to enter the NT since borders were closed

ABOUT 8000 people have been given exemptions to enter the Territory since its borders were closed, it has been revealed

Health Minister Natasha Fyles says they won’t be opening the borders. Picture: GLENN CAMPBELL

ABOUT 8000 people have been given exemptions to enter the Territory since its borders were closed, it has been revealed.

That number includes FIFO workers, and those deemed exempt on compassionate grounds, for medical reasons or because of their age.

Health Minister Natasha Fyles was speaking at the Palmerston Health precinct today where she announced a new $200,000 mammogram machine was now available for use.

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Ms Fyles said the NT’s forced hotel quarantine regime was about protecting the wider NT population.

“We work as compassionately as we can but it’s about enforcing measures to protect the Territory, to keep our borders shut while still allowing Territorians who may need to enter and may require an exemption from that mandatory quarantine,” Ms Fyles said.

She said the government would not be bowing to pressure to open the borders to the rest of the country, after the Territory Alliance called for restrictions to lift.

“All members of the Northern Territory Parliament have been briefed by the Territory controller and chief executive of health,” Ms Fyles said.

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“They full well understand the potentially devastating impact of coronavirus and to just play cheap politics and say those restrictions should be eased, we won’t be listening to them, we will be listening to the health professionals.”