Freedom deadline needed to drive vax, industry bodies say

A concrete date for reopening the Territory and allowing the fully vaccinated quarantine-free travel from hotspots will help drive vaccination among the hesitiant, Hospitality NT has claimed.

MAJOR industry bodies representing Territory businesses have expressed a desire for the Northern Territory’s borders to be aligned with other states, amid fears the NT has won the “wooden spoon” for the vaccination race.

The NT will reopen to quarantine-free interstate travel on January 18, more than a month after Queensland on December 17.

Hospitality NT has also called for a hard date for reopening interstate travel without quarantine, saying it would drive take up of the Covid-19 vaccine.

It comes as the Territory will miss the Chief Minister Michael Gunner’s goal of 80 per cent double dosed by November 4, according to the NT government’s data. The Northern Territory currently sits at 72 per cent fully vaccinated. Mr Gunner last month set a 50-day goal to reach the 80 per cent threshold.

Hospitality NT chief executive Alex Bruce. Picture: Che Chorley

Hospitality NT chief executive Alex Bruce said setting of a “freedom day” would encourage hesitant Territorians to get vaccinated.

“The workforce mandate is driving vax rates up – setting a hard date for borders will push up rates in the non-workforce population,” Mr Bruce said.

He also called for the NT government to align its borders with other states and Territories.

“Why can a double vaxxed Australian visit Cairns for Christmas without quarantining but not Darwin?

“Wooden spoon in the race to freedom is disappointing, especially when the NT got early access to both vaccines.”

Chamber of Commerce NT chief operating officer Nicole Walsh said bringing the Northern Territory’s rules into line with other jurisdictions would help business.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner posted on his social media that the NT could open up to quarantine-free interstate travel in mid January. Picture Julianne Osborne

“Everyone has family and friends that want to get out,” Ms Walsh said.

“We certainly would welcome any type of alignment to other jurisdictions.”

Ms Walsh said she was supportive of the chief health officer’s directions.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said the Northern Territory would reopen to interstate travel without quarantine on January 18.

“We will continue doing things the Territory way, with the advice of our health professionals as we move into the next steps of reopening and learning to live with Covid-19,” Mr Gunner said.

FREEDOM DAYS AROUND THE NATION

NSW: November 1

ACT: November 1

SA: November 23

VIC: November 24

TAS: December 15

QLD: December 18

NT: January 18

WA: ???