Master Builders NT chief executive Dave Malone backs lockout alternative

The NT government’s move to introduce lockouts as an alternative to lockdowns has been backed by a local industry leader.

THE government will introduce lockouts as an alternative to lockdowns as the Territory moves towards a life with Covid-19.

The move has been backed by Master Builders Association chief executive David Malone.

Mr Malone however wants to see further clarity around the impact a lockout or lockdown will have on businesses.

Under a lockout, vaccinated people will not be locked down.

They will be able to continue to work, go shopping, play sport, and head out for a meal – provided they wear a mask while doing so.

Mr Gunner said people who chose not to get vaccinated would be locked out of the freedoms and only permitted to leave for the five reasons – as has been the case in previous lockdowns.

“There are obviously people who cannot get vaccinated, like children under 12, and some people for specific medical reasons, and we’re working on arrangements and allowances to be made for them, but they are a small minority,” Mr Gunner said.

“So as far as our border measures go, when we reach the next stage, it will boil down to this. No jab. No entry.”

Mr Malone said the news around lockdowns and lockouts was welcoming but businesses needed to understand what they would look like in the future to allow for better planning. “We still think we need to have structure and clarity around what a lockdown looks like,” he said.

“Business has been saying for a while now they need to understand what’s involved.”

He said he was open to discussing how changes would affect business in the future.

“This is the time to talk to industry groups and we are going to need plans and we might as well start now,” he said.

Mr Malone raised issues around the impacts on “short, sharp lockdowns” on businesses.

He said in the last lockdown a Territory business owner had to put off 50 staff.

“The ramifications are real,” Mr Malone said.

“I’m really keen to minimise that impact on businesses and their employees.”

Mr Gunner said short sharp lockdowns had proven successful in the past, and would not rule out enacting them if required in the future.

Mr Gunner said the Territory’s strong border restrictions would not be scrapped as “onerous public measures” such as mask wearing, limits on people in venues and crowds would be required.

“If we completely dismantle our quarantine measures, so no home quarantine at all, or letting people come back in from hot spots, then we will have to control or crack down on all the things that make living in the Territory so amazing right now,” he said.