More than half of 18,000 arrivals to the NT since borders closed given exemptions from mandatory quarantine

THERE have been more than 18,000 discrete crossings into the Territory since the NT closed its borders and about 60 per cent — or more than 11,000 arrivals — have been exempted from mandatory quarantine requirements

Health Minister Natasha Fyles addresses the media yesterday. Picture: Glenn Campbell

THERE have been more than 18,000 discrete crossings into the Territory since the closure of NT’s borders and about 60 per cent of them were covered by a quarantine exemption.

A spokeswoman from the Department of the Chief Minister revealed the NT’s Chief Health Officer Hugh Heggie has so far issued more than 11,000 quarantine exemptions for people travelling to the NT during the coronavirus crisis – more than the figure of 8000 initially given by Health Minister Natasha Fyles yesterday.

“The Northern Territory Chief Health Officer has the authority to grant exemptions to the mandated quarantine requirements for designated essential workers and for employees covered by their company’s COVID-19 management plan,” the spokeswoman said.

“Exemptions may also be granted to undertake quarantine in alternative locations for those people who are likely to face undue hardship from quarantining at a Government-mandated location.

“This may be for factors including age, health conditions or compassionate grounds.

“It is not possible to provide a breakdown of exemptions by category at this time due to the level of resourcing required to do so.”

MORE NT CORONAVIRUS NEWS

Federal Health Minister says no reason for Territory borders to stay closed

NT border could reopen before southern cases stop

Three people fined for mandatory quarantine breaches

Telling Territorians to holiday in the NT is not enough, says tourism industry

According to the latest NT Government data, 3112 people crossed the NT’s border and were required to quarantine from March 28 to May 24.

The majority of those arrivals came by air (1994) followed by road (1100) and then sea (18).

Health Minister Natasha Fyles said the NT’s forced hotel quarantine regimen was about protecting the wider NT population.

“We work as compassionately as we can but it’s about enforcing measures to protect the Territory, to keep our borders shut while still allowing Territorians who may need to enter and may require an exemption from that mandatory quarantine,” she said.

Get amazing Sennheiser earbuds (RRP: $499) with NT News subscription deal

Chief Minister Michael Gunner is expected to give an update about when NT’s borders may reopen on Friday.

It comes as the NT Cattlemen’s Association calls on the Government to address lengthy delays with its travel exemption process.

A spokesman from the Department of Primary Industries said the backlog causing the delays had now been fixed.

“There had been a backlog of applications for exemption before the CHO, and some applicants were being told that the time for assessment was 20 business days,” he said.