Chief Minister Michael Gunner warns NT coronavirus restrictions could last for half a year

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner has indicated that the NT will not be relaxing any of its coronavirus social-distancing rules for at least six months.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner has indicated that the NT will not be relaxing any of its coronavirus social-distancing rules for at least six months. Picture: Che Chorley

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner has indicated that the NT will not be relaxing any of its coronavirus social-distancing rules for at least six months.

Mr Gunner said he didn’t want to give Territorians any “false hope” that the restrictions would be lifted any time in the near future.

It comes as New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said her state’s tough coronavirus social-distancing rules could be relaxed as early as next month.

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“The NT (will) have to hit a sustainable patch and we have to do it for at least six months,” Mr Gunner said.

“I don’t want to give anyone out there some false hope that everything’s suddenly going to be sunshine and rainbows in a couple of weeks time.

“We have to hold the line here. We can’t afford not to.”

Mr Gunner said he did not understand why NSW was talking about relaxing restrictions at this stage when they were in a far worse position than the NT.

“We haven’t gone as far as NSW (with restrictions) and they’ve got a lot of community transmission which we don’t have,” he said.

“We’ve also been able to secure our borders which NSW couldn’t do.

“So we’ve been able to get ahead of this unlike them and as a result are at a much more sustainable area than they are.

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“I can’t understand why NSW is talking about this because they’ve got a tough road to walk for at least six months.

“For me, you’ve got to keep making evidence-based medical decisions about where the numbers are and how you manage those peaks.”