Automatic plate recognition ‘sufficient’ despite CLP calling for public health checks at border
The NT government has insisted automatic number plate recognition is sufficient for policing vehicles entering from Covid-19 hot spots.
Northern Territory
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THE NT government has insisted automatic number plate recognition is sufficient for policing vehicles entering from Covid-19 hot spots, despite the CLP calling for more checks at the border.
Currently road arrivals from Victoria have to travel through South Australia or Queensland and New South Wales.
“There is no plan at this stage to reinstate border control points, with the Automatic Number Plate Recognition system in place,” an NT government spokesman said.
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“Very low numbers of vehicles are arriving into the Northern Territory with Victorian number plates, and a number of these are hire cars,” he said.
The spokesman also said alerts were being sent out to arrivals in the Territory who had travelled to hot spots and areas where confirmed Covid-19 cases had travelled, giving them “further confidence”.
We have further confidence through the numbers reporting for testing that the message is getting through to visitors and they are receiving the C19C messaging that is sent once a border form is completed.”
The CLP however called for “public health officials” to be stationed at entry points to the Territory.
“This would ensure there’s no confusion for people entering the Territory from hot spots and lessens any possible weak links which could potentially lead to community transmission,” opposition leader Lia Finocchiaro said.
“The Territory has a strict process for interstate travellers who arrive by air or rail, and we’re confused why the same process isn’t being replicated for people who arrive by road,” Ms Finocchiaro said.
She said a lack of police recruitment meant there wouldn’t be enough officers to man checkpoints on the borders.
Mutitjulu chief executive Thalia Bohl-van der Boogaard said borders posed a threat to Aboriginal communities.
“There will be a concern for a long time about Covid-19 coming into communities, especially with people coming into the NT from hot spots,” Ms Bohl-van der Boogaard said.
“While it would be great of there could be police presence on each border, this would only really be necessary if there are hot spots that are a threat to the NT,” she said.
Ms Bohl-van den Boogaard said police had “done a great job” dealing with the pandemic.
She also said entry to Uluru was likely to remain open due to an agreement with Voyages to ensure visitors from hot spots were identified and isolated.
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