NT government takes the rein at Howard Springs, but federal assistance to remain for now

The Howard Springs quarantine camp has officially begun the process of transitioning to full NT government operation, but health minister Natasha Fyles has reassured the public there’s no rush to kick AUSMAT out.

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THE federal government has officially handed over the keys to Howard Springs’ international quarantine facility.

While Monday marked the day the Northern Territory government would slowly start to take over the facility, NT health minister Natasha Fyles has reassured the public AUSMAT will be going nowhere fast.

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It comes as the number of positive COVID-19 cases has fallen dramatically since flights from India were suspended last week, from 55 cases to just 35 yesterday.

Four of those were US marines who had travelled to the Top End on rotation.

Ms Fyles said all cases were quarantining at the Howard Springs facility.

With the handover commencing yesterday, the health minister however reassured the public standards of care and quarantine would stay the same.

Health minister Natasha Fyles. Picture: Che Chorley

The Howard Springs quarantine facility. Picture: SUPPLIED

“It does not mean there’s any change to medical practices,” Ms Fyles said.

“AUSMAT are still on site and there is no end date for them to leave,” she said.

“They will remain there until it is felt that the Northern Territory can fully manage all the repatriation flights.”

NT Health last week revealed it had found 160 staff for its first tranche of recruitment, and would need 400 workers before AUSMAT could leave.

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