Video emerges of rave at Howard Springs quarantine facility, as partygoer explains how incident began
A MAN who was part of the rave at the Howard Springs quarantine facility, which was filmed and shared on social media, has spoken to the NT News about how the incident began.
Northern Territory
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MORE than a dozen people have been filmed dancing at a rave at the Howard Springs quarantine facility.
The TikTok video shows a group dancing on the footpath between the dongas.
Most people can be seen wearing masks while several are not.
Another TikTok video shows a blow-up pool set up on the deck of one of the rooms.
People in quarantine at the facility are there because they have come from coronavirus hotspots and are required to undertake a 14-day stay to ensure they are free of the disease.
One man who was in quarantine during the rave contacted the NT News to explain that the group was holding a rave for someone’s birthday.
Declan, who did not want to give his surname, said the group was provided with cake by staff to celebrate the occasion.
“We weren’t wearing masks because we were eating birthday cake that was provided by the quarantine facility,” he said.
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No cake can be seen in the video, and when questioned, Declan said he had no photos to prove there was in fact cake.
He did however point to the decorations on the railings of the donga as proof it was a birthday celebration.
He said the party was among eight people before it ballooned into a crowd, at which point it was shut down by security.
The NT News understands the people involved have been given a warning over the incident.
It’s also understood the rave was a ‘set up’ as a means to one-up each other on social media.
The NT Government has been contacted for comment.
Deputy Opposition Leader Gerard Maley said Chief Minister Michael Gunner needed to take control of the situation.
“Significant breakdowns in the social isolation regime in Victoria led to a large COVID community outbreaks in Victoria,” Mr Maley said.
“Mr Gunner now needs to take control of the situation and establish the circumstances surrounding the rave party or parties.
“Mr Gunner went to the election saying that he would keep Territorians safe. The situation at Howard Springs appears to be in direct contradiction to what Mr Gunner told Territorians before the election.”
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It comes as the NT lifts Sydney’s status as a hotspot location today, meaning people from the city are able to enter the Territory without having to quarantine.
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