Industry fear worker abuse for staff forced to check vaccine status in Darwin lockout

Businesses are responsible for checking the vaccine status of their patrons during Darwin’s 72-hour lockout, raising fears workers could cop abuse.

UPDATED: BUSINESSES are being asked to check the vaccination status of patrons and visitors during Darwin’s Covid-19 lockout, raising concerns that workers could become the target of abuse.

Real Estate Institute NT chief executive Quentin Kilian said auctions and open houses would go ahead this weekend despite the restrictions.

But Mr Kilian said businesses were being expected to police the vaccination status of the public was an extra burden.

“It certainly has the potential, if a person is aggressive, for a situation to get out of hand and become abusive or aggressive,” Mr Kilian said.

“I can see the reasons why they’re doing it, it’s just the simple fact that it’s unfair to place that burden on our workers.

“They’re not trained to be policemen, and it puts them potentially in an aggressive situation.”

Mr Kilian said his members would try their best to meet lawful directions.

REINT boss Quentin Kilian raised concerns about workers being abused by patrons when asking for vaccination status. Photograph: Che Chorley

He also said the REINT was in favour of contact tracing check-in apps being used to help contact tracing.

“Taking it to the next step of forcing a person to check another person’s vaccination status is not a job one of our workers should be required to do.

“It’s going to prove to be interesting particularly when it comes to open houses and inspections over the weekend, but our members are working within the rules and guidelines.”

Hospitality NT chief executive Alex Bruce welcomed the lockout as preferable to a fully-blown lockdown, but said there was more confusion now about the new laws.

Darwin in Covid lockout. Monsoons is one of the locations where a man infected with Covid at the time visited. Picture: File

“Our Katherine members are getting on with the lockdown and very few queries, given it’s the same rules as last time,” Mr Bruce said.

“The lockout in Greater Darwin is proving more challenging for businesses and their workers to get their heads around, but we are supportive and giving it a crack.

“Put simply, this is better than a lockdown.”

Master Builders NT chief executive David Malone said most construction sites stayed shut on Friday.

Since construction is classed as non-essential, unvaccinated tradies were barred from working on site.

“We still have relatively low levels of vaccination across our industry,” Mr Malone said.

“A lot of our people would have been going through the first dose process leading up to (November 12).

“If the lockout was to continue into next week, I think we’ll be struggling to fully man our workplaces.”

Mr Malone praised the lockout, saying most construction businesses were better prepared for disruption compared to the Top End’s previous two lockdowns in July and September.

David Malone from Master Builders NT is pictured outside his home in Parap, Darwin during the lockdown. Picture: Che Chorley

EARLIER: THE Territory has recorded its first case of community transmission.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner confirmed the man in his 20s is a contract worker on RAAF Base Tindal in Katherine. He is not vaccinated.

He developed symptoms on Tuesday and was tested on Wednesday. A firm positive was confirmed on Thursday evening.

The man works in Katherine but also resides in Humpty Doo. His flatmates have been tested and are in isolation.

Mr Gunner said he had not recently travelled outside of the Northern Territory.

Katherine will go into a full lockdown for 72-hours from midnight tonight.

Greater Darwin will go into a lockout from midnight tonight, with fully-vaccinated people able to leave their homes and go to work but must wear a mask. People in Greater Darwin cannot leave the region until the lockout ends.

People who go to hospitality venues must provide their Covid-19 vaccination certificate

“This doesn’t rule out a full lockdown if circumstances change,” Mr Gunner said.

People will be required to show their vaccination certificate upon entry to venues. They must also use the Territory check-in app.

Mr Gunner said the man’s infection period in the community was likely between October 31 and November 2.

“We do not know where, when or how this man became infected,” Mr Gunner said.

There are five known exposure sites. Isolate immediately if you’ve been to:

Monsoons Nightclub on Friday, October 29

Equinox Fishing Charter at 2pm, October 30

Noonamah petrol station on Saturday morning, October 30

RAAF Base Tindal on Monday and Tuesday, November 1 and 2

The Katherine Club on Monday, November 1 between 5pm and 6pm.