Hospitality NT label new mask mandate for NT ‘excessive’ after Katherine exodus

Territorians will have to mask up when leaving their homes, after an exodus out of Katherine following the announcement of lockdown.

THE NT government has implemented a Territory-wide mask mandate over concerns that Covid-19 cases may have left Katherine before lockdown on Monday.

But the industry body representing bars, restaurants and cafes, Hospitality NT, has labelled the new rules “excessive”.

Under the new requirements, a mask is required to be work in public settings and in the workplace when one cannot socially distance.

The new mandate was implemented because authorities are not yet certain where the new cluster in Katherine originated.

But the new requirement has been met with some opposition, with Hospitality NT chief executive Alex Bruce saying it represented a failure to take action in Katherine fast enough.

“The failure to contain earlier (on Monday) when authorities knew of positive cases has contributed to the widened impact now being faced,” Mr Bruce said.

He also questioned whether areas with high vaccination rates should be required to wear masks.

“The blanket mandate across the Territory appears excessive and designed to drive vax rates rather than specific localised risk across all regions, especially in high vaxxed communities.

Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker said there was significant movement from Katherine after lockdown was announced, but before it came into effect. Picture: Julianne Osborne

“The only freedom benefit in the NT from being vaxxed at the moment is to carry the slack of others, in the workplace and across communities.”

Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker said there had been “significant vehicle movement” out of the Top End town following the announcement of lockdown on Monday afternoon.

“The mask mandate across the Territory is a protection for you for your loved ones and all Territorians” Mr Chalker said.

“Compliance is expected.”

Effective Tuesday, a mask mandate is in place until 6pm Monday, 22 November 2021 across the Northern Territory. Picture: Glenn Campbell

The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA) NT director Shlok Sharma urged patrons not to abuse staff over the mandate.

“Mandatory mask wearing will help keep thousands of workers in our supermarkets, hardware stores, bottle shops and petrol stations safe and limit the spread of the virus,” Mr Sharma said.

“Retail workers have enough on their plates right now and it’s not their responsibility to enforce these restrictions.

“Stores should be taking appropriate action to deal with non-compliant customers and ensure workers’ safety when this happens.”

The new rules came into effect at 6pm Tuesday.

People do not need to wear the mask when engaging in vigorous exercise.