NT to decide if people from NSW will be forced in to quarantine from Friday

NT authorities are closely watching the coronavirus outbreak in New South Wales but are yet to declare the troubled Sydney suburbs hotspots three days before the Territory reopens its borders

Police direct a vehicle with Victorian licence plates into a checkpoint at the Queensland border with NSW. The NT has effectively banned Victorian travellers from the NT when its borders reopen on Friday. A decision on whether a similar ban will affect New South Wales travellers is likely to be made on Wednesdday. Picture: Matt Roberts

NT authorities are closely watching the coronavirus outbreak in New South Wales and will make a decision on travellers entering the NT on Wednesday.

Health Minister Natasha Fyles said they were watching the troubled NSW hotspots situation closely.

Health Minister Natasha Fyles is providing an update on the NT’s borders.

Posted by The NT News on Monday, 13 July 2020

Aboriginal Medical Services Association NT chief executive John Paterson called on the NT Government to declare the affected NSW areas as hotspots and bring in mandatory 14-day hotel quarantine for all hotspot travellers immediately.

A total of 28 coronavirus cases are now linked to the Crossroads Hotel cluster at Casula, southwest of Sydney.

It comes as Queensland, which reopened its borders on Friday, declared the NSW local government areas of Liverpool and Campbelltown coronavirus hotspots.

Anyone who has been in those areas in the last 14 days will be forced into self-quarantine for two weeks if they decide to go into Queensland.

Authorities in the Sunshine State have also threatened prison time for those who breach public health orders, which includes quarantine rules.

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But Ms Fyles didn’t rule out tougher penalties being dished out to covidiots who flouted the rules.