NT borders should be reopened to visitors from ‘virus-free’ jurisdictions in time for major events, says Chamber of Commerce CEO

THE NT’s Chamber of Commerce boss has urged the NT Government to allow travellers from jurisdictions that have gone 28 days without an active COVID-19 case, allowing interstate punters to attend major NT events.

The NT’s Chamber of Commerce boss has urged the NT Government to allow travellers from jurisdictions that have gone 28 days without an active COVID-19 case, allowing interstate punters to attend major NT events, such as the BetEasy Darwin Triple Crown Supercars event in August. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

THE NT’s Chamber of Commerce boss has urged the NT Government to allow travellers from jurisdictions that have gone 28 days without an active COVID-19 case, allowing interstate punters to attend major NT events.

Chamber of Commerce chief executive Greg Ireland welcomed Sunday’s news that the BetEasy Darwin Triple Crown Supercars event had been rescheduled for August 8-9, but said the NT borders should be opened in time.

He said the event may otherwise not be profitable for the Territory.

“It’s important to realise while the locals will no doubt support things like the Darwin Cup and the Supercars, it perhaps won’t have the quantity of people needed,” he said.

Mr Ireland said people from jurisdictions which have gone 28 days without an active case of COVID-19 should be allowed to enter the Territory.

“If you go 28 days without a case then they consider that eradication … theoretically (some jurisdictions) should be a couple of weeks away from achieving that,” Mr Ireland said.

“If the environment they’re coming from has been declared virus free for that 28-day period … we should be welcoming them with open arms!”

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However, Northern Land Council chief executive Marion Scrymgour said it was “way too early” to open borders.

“We urge the Chief Minister not to give in to any pressure to open up the borders,” she said.

Tiwi Land Council chief executive Andrew Tipungwuti agreed.

“With chronic disease and the way it is in remote communities, I think at this point in time towards the end of the year would be our preference for interstate travel,” he said.

Biosecurity zone restrictions are expected to be lifted on June 5.

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Chief Minister Michael Gunner told Katie Woolf on Mix104.9 on Monday that having interstate attendees at the Darwin Triple Crown was “unlikely”.

“If we can’t say southerners are coming, that’s going to be a blow to us because they spend money around town,” he said.

“(But), I just can’t let them in.”

He said it is too early to tell what the local economic impact will be from not allowing interstate visitors to attend.