Police rushed to border at night to protect Territorians amid coronavirus fears
TERRITORY police rushed to the NT/WA border in the middle of the night this week to protect Territorians amid fears of the possible spread of coronavirus from the Kimberley region
Northern Territory
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TERRITORY police rushed to the NT/WA border in the middle of the night this week to protect Territorians from the possible spread of coronavirus from the Kimberley region.
Health Minister Natasha Fyles said police were called to the border after six people, including a doctor and border checkpoint worker, tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday.
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“A soon as we heard there were cases in the Kimberley region on Wednesday evening, Health worked with police — and I’d like to acknowledge police who literally headed out in the middle of the night — to provide further reinforcement on some of those roads,” she said.
“We have had that police presence right across the Northern Territory, particularly at the borders, in terms of protecting our community.
“So the message is clear: if you live in a remote community the best place for you is your remote community.
“Stay at home, but if you notice something unusual, a vehicle that you haven’t seen before, people in your community, please let the authorities know as soon as possible.”
On Thursday night the West Australian Government implemented stringent new restrictions in the Kimberley and remote Aboriginal communities.
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People can now only enter those regions if they are providing essential services or supplies, have been quarantined for 14 days, are residents returning to self-isolate, or qualify for exemption.
It comes as the Territory Government’s next set of border restrictions also began on Thursday.
As of 12.01am Thursday all travellers entering the Territory from interstate will be forced into two weeks’ hotel quarantine — instead of being trusted to self-quarantine, as has previously been the case.
Meanwhile within the Territory’s borders, NT Police, Public and Environmental Health officers and Australian Defence Force continue to undertake self-quarantine compliance checks to ensure people are completing their 14 days quarantine.
An additional 72 people who entered Territory borders yesterday are required to quarantine.
So far 2629 people are required to self-quarantine, while 1294 compliance checks have taken place with only two fines issued.
As of midnight tonight, all new arrivals into the NT must pay for their own 14-day hotel quarantine – a $2500 fee – if they still insist on coming here.
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