Thirty COVID-19 testing centres to be rolled out across the NT

THIRTY coronavirus testing centres will be rolled out across the Territory as the Government prepares for the borders to reopen and the likelihood of COVID-19 cases to be found in the NT.

Thirty coronavirus testing centres will be rolled out across the Territory as the Government prepares for the borders to reopen and the likelihood of COVID-19 cases to be found in the NT. Picture: Che Chorley

THIRTY coronavirus testing centres will be rolled out across the Territory as the Government prepares for the borders to reopen and the likelihood of COVID-19 cases to be found in the NT.

Last week the highest number of tests yet were carried out with 1450 tests conducted on Territorians.

Health Minister Natasha Fyles said rates of testing would need to be maintained when the borders opened so that the spread of COVID-19 could be monitored.

“(This is) not a time to become complacent, people are feeling fatigued but we must not become complacent,” Ms Fyles said.

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Despite a spike in cases in Victoria, Ms Fyles said the Government did not intend to change the date of the opening of the NT’s borders.

“We acted quickly in the first place to stop travel, to save lives and now we need to move to the new normal,” she said.

“This is part of the new normal and what we have done is allow our clinical professionals time to prepare. We’ve got the plans in place to react and keep the community safe.

“I believe we will see some cases of COVID-19 in the Territory at some point.”

Posted by The NT News on Saturday, 20 June 2020

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Ms Fyles said the Government’s public health emergency declaration, which is due to expire this week, would be extended for another three months.

The declaration gives the Chief Health Officer the authority to tighten or relax rules as needed.