No, it can’t be spread by mosquitoes. Your questions answered about Darwin’s coronavirus quarantine operation

AS Darwin prepares to receive Australian evacuees from coronavirus-hit Wuhan, there is a lot of misinformation on social media about what will happen when they arrive. Here, the NT Health Department answers some of your most common questions

AS Darwin prepares to receive Australian evacuees from coronavirus-hit Wuhan, there is a lot of misinformation on Facebook and other social media about what will happen when they arrive, and when they go into the quarantine camp.

We put some of your most common questions to the NT Health Department.

Here Acting NT Chief Health Officer Di Stephens answers those questions and dispels some of the myths:

Who will be housed in the quarantine camp?

The Federal Government will ensure only Australian residents who have undergone a proper screening process for coronavirus will be quarantined at the camp. It is important to remember that quarantining is only a precautionary measure.

And who will not be housed at the camp?

The Federal Government has made it clear that the only people accommodated at the camp will be Australians residents who are well, and who have been evacuated from Wuhan.

Will anyone who is confirmed sick with the virus be sent to the camp?

Absolutely not. As was the case with the two groups of Australians evacuated to Christmas Island, everyone in the group heading for Darwin will be medically screened for the virus before getting on the flight.

Has anyone who has been sent to be quarantined on Christmas Island tested positive to having the coronavirus yet?

More than 270 Australian residents are in quarantine on Christmas Island and not a single one of them has so far displayed any sign of coronavirus.

What will happen if someone tests positive to the virus while they are at the Inpex camp?

If anyone tests positive to coronavirus they will be moved from the camp under appropriate quarantine measures and isolated in an appropriate health facility.

Will anyone under quarantine be allowed to leave the camp?

All evacuees will be confined to the camp for a mandatory 14-day quarantine period. Only those who have been fully screened and cleared of the virus following that 14-day period will be given the all clear to leave.

How will those in quarantine be prevented from leaving the camp?

Evacuees will be required to remain isolated. The Australian Federal Police and NT Police may be called on to enforce that isolation if necessary.

There is a school and residents living nearby the camp. Are they at risk from anyone who may turn out to be infected in the camp because of their proximity to them?

As coronavirus is only spread through close contact, no one outside of the camp runs the risk of infection. There is definitely no need for anyone outside the camp to wear face masks.

What happens when the evacuees fly into Darwin? How will they be prevented from coming into contact with local residents and airport workers?

Everyone on the aircraft will have been screened for symptoms of coronavirus before boarding and will be wearing face masks. The aircraft carrying the evacuees will arrive at the RAAF base side of Darwin airport and be met by a contingent of Australian Border Force, AUSMAT and Australian Defence Force personnel, who will ensure they have no contact with local residents.

How will they be transported to the quarantine camp? How will they be prevented from coming into contact with local residents and workers?

The evacuees will travel directly from RAAF Base Darwin to the village.

(NT News: It was reported on Friday morning that evacuees would be taken to the quarantine camp by buses staffed by AUSMAT —Australian Medical Assistance Teams — personnel)

How is the coronavirus spread?

Coronavirus can only be spread only through close contact. The virus cannot be carried on the wind.

Can it be spread by mosquitoes?

Absolutely not. It is not a blood-borne disease meaning it cannot be spread by mosquitoes.

FOR MORE INFORMATION visti the NT Health Department’s website or go to nt.gov.au/wellbeing/health-alerts/coronavirus