The Northern Territory’s changing coronavirus restrictions: What we know so far

THE Northern Territory’s coronavirus restrictions have been among the toughest in the country. But they’re starting to change. Here’s what we know so far

Police check vehicles at the NT/SA border. Coronavirus restrictions are set to be eased in the Northern Territory this week. Here’s what we know so far. Picture: Chloe Erlich

THE Northern Territory is beginning to ease coronavirus restrictions this Friday, with no new cases diagnosed in more than three weeks and only three active cases remaining out of 28.

Here is what we know so far about our restrictions and how they’re beginning to change:

National parks

On Monday Chief Minister Michael Gunner announced national parks would open from noon this Friday, in time for the May Day long weekend.

“We can only do this because of the work and sacrifices of Territorians – and we can only keep our parks open if Territorians are respectful of each other’s space,” he said.

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“Let’s all take care of each other.”

National parks like Kakadu and Uluru-Kata Tuja, which are within Designated Biosecurity Areas, will remain closed to outside visitors.

Restaurants, cafes and pubs

Hospitality venues will be able to start reopening from May 15, significantly earlier than the June date that was originally announced by Mr Gunner.

Cafes, restaurants and bars will be able to open for the serving of food, excluding gaming activities.

Shopping centre food courts will also be reopened for the consumption of food and beverages.

Territorians will be able to attend a bar to drink without eating, attend nightclubs and attend venues that operate TAB and gaming facilities from June 5 as a part of “stage three” of Mr Gunner’s plan.

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Australian Venue Co chief executive Paul Waterson said his three venues – Monsoons Darwin, Smith St Social and Shenannigans – would be ready to open as soon as restrictions are eased.

As part of coronavirus precautions, Mr Waterson said the venues would have a dedicated hygiene officer and a social distancing marshal.

Staff beginning a shift would also have their temperature checked. He also said cleaning would be ramped up and communal cutlery caddies removed.

Gyms, playgrounds and sporting venues

Restrictions on non-contact outdoor sports like golf and tennis will be lifted at noon on Friday. Public playgrounds, outdoor gymnasiums, swimming pools and lagoons will also be reopened at this time.

Indoor gyms and playgrounds will be reopened the following fortnight on May 15.

Outdoor training activities for sporting clubs will be allowed to start back on May 15, with the playing of team sports recommencing from June 5.

Territorians will also be able to go fishing with people not from their household from Friday, so long as physically distancing (1.5 metres) can be maintained.

More information on these restrictions will be discussed by Mr Gunner on Thursday.

All other sporting venues are currently closed however bootcamps and personal training sessions are limited to groups of no more than two people.

Elective surgery

Health Minister Natasha Fyles revealed category 2 elective surgery, including cataract and orthopaedic, had resumed at Royal Darwin and Palmerston hospitals this week and elective surgery would start in Alice Springs “in the coming days”.

Surgeries which require an overnight stay and were deferred because of coronavirus have also restarted.

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Major events

The Darwin Triple Crown Supercars, scheduled for July 17 to 19, has “no plans” to cancel its Darwin leg, however no decisions will be made until the federal and NT governments tell them if and when crowds will be allowed again.

The Darwin Turf Club also announced the Darwin Cup Carnival, from July 4 to August 3, would go on with or without crowds. It will culminate in a Super Monday in which the Palmerston Sprint and Darwin Cup will run on the same day for the first time in carnival history.

The Greek GleNTi Festival, which was cancelled for the first time in its 32-year-history, might also return with a scaled-down version of the celebration later this year.

This week Mr Gunner said lifting restrictions on mass gatherings would be “too risky” at this stage, and would be explored later on.

Social gatherings

Restrictions on the number of attendees at funerals and wedding will be lifted from midday on Friday.

Weddings in the Northern Territory are currently limited to five attendees, while funerals have a cap of 10 people.

From Friday, there will be no limit as long as social distancing guidelines are adhered to.

Indigenous communities will also be able to attend Sorry Business events that were previously prohibited.

Territorians will also be able to have visitors at their homes and open houses and real estate auctions will be allowed to go ahead from Friday.

Restrictions on attending religious ceremonies and places of worship will be lifted on May 15.

Entertainment

Cinemas, theatres and concert halls will be reopened from June 5 as long as they are in an approved configuration.

Events with more than 500 attendees will have to have separate plans approved by the Chief Health Minister.

Libraries and toy libraries will be reopened on May 15.

Beauty/wellbeing services

Territorians will be able to get non-facial beauty services including nails, tanning and massage from May 15.

Other services such as facials, tattoos and piercings will be able to recommence from June 5.

Shopping

Mr Gunner said on Thursday that Darwin’s markets have been allowed to operate throughout the restrictions, but chose to shut down as they were unable tocomply with social distancing restrictions.

He said the Parap markets are looking at a safe way to re-open this weekend. The Rapid Creek markets trialled a reopening on the weekend with caps on numbers and strict social distancing measures in place. More information on markets is set to come in the coming days,

Territorians will be able to go shopping at leisure from this Friday, May 1.

Borders

Mr Gunner has said border restrictions will be the last measure to be lifted.

“We are the safest place in the country right now and I will do whatever it takes to keep it that way,” he said.

Non-essential travellers arriving at a Territory border must complete 14 days of forced quarantine. A thousand people have passed through NT borders between April 1 to 27 either by road, air or sea.

He said ADF personell and police will continue to be stationed on the borders for the foreseeable future.

THE NT News will be constantly updating and revising this advisory article as restrictions continue to change