NT biosecurity zones ‘on track’ to be lifted on June 5: Chief Minister

COMMUNITIES within the NT’s nine biosecurity zones are ‘on track’ to be released from coronavirus lockdown on June 5, Chief Minister Michael Gunner has confirmed

COMMUNITIES within the NT’s nine biosecurity zones are “on track” to be released from coronavirus lockdown on June 5, Chief Minister Michael Gunner has confirmed.

Mr Gunner, following a national cabinet meeting on Friday, said both levels of government were working through the “administrative side” of lifting the biosecurity measures that control movement in and out of vulnerable communities.

But the Government will retain the power to lock down communities if they become affected until September 17.

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National cabinet also agreed on a framework to manage access to affected remote communities under the biosecurity powers in partnership with states, territories and indigenous community leaders in those areas.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said protecting vulnerable indigenous communities was one of two areas, alongside the elderly, that national cabinet was most worried about at the start of the crisis.

“To our indigenous leaders in each and every one of those hundreds of communities, thank you for your leadership,” he said.

The Government also announced the new $48.1 million mental health support package would include the collection of real-time data on the impacts of mental health and what support works best so health professionals could reach out to the most vulnerable people.

National Mental Health Commission CEO Christine Morgan following the National Cabinet meeting on Friday. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a $48 million commitment to the national mental health plan. Picture: Rohan Thomson/Getty Images

National Mental Health Commission head Christine Morgan said this was critical because there was a big gap in data at the moment. So far there are indications in some jurisdictions that suicide rates have not risen, which officials say is heartening. But Ms Morgan warned that didn’t mean things wouldn’t get worse as the pandemic continued and economic pressures hit harder.

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“It means that we are OK at the moment, and therefore we need to not only keep doing what we’re doing, but make sure we accelerate it and embed it,” she said.

“What are we trying to do is stay connected. Because if you are connected with people, you have hope. And hope is what we all need.”

The $48.1 million Commonwealth package also includes a national ad campaign to reassure people that “it’s OK to not feel OK” in these unusual times, as well as more targeted outreach efforts for vulnerable communities.

– with AAP