NT Government launches targeted ad blitz warning people in Victoria to stay out of the Territory

A HIGHLY-targeted advertising blitz to stop people travelling to the NT from coronavirus-ravaged Victoria has been rolled out by the Territory government

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A HIGHLY-TARGETED advertising blitz to stop people travelling to the NT from coronavirus-ravaged Victoria has been rolled out by the Territory government.

The advertising campaign, which warns travellers to “STOP” and check the NT’s tough border measures before they book trips, is expected to pop-up when people living in Victoria look up flights on the internet and in the social media feeds of those waiting at airports to board a plane.

The NT Government has estimated the geographically-targeted and search engine optimised ad campaign will reach 1.5 million people in the coming weeks.

The ads are designed to reach those thinking of coming here and can be redirected at short notice.

NT Government COVID-19 travel ad. Picture: Supplied

It comes as Victoria recorded 288 new coronavirus cases, the highest single-day spike in Australia since the start of the pandemic. The record number will push the state’s active case tally past 1000 for the first time.

Widespread community transmission in Victoria has forced all jurisdictions to put in place hard-line border measures, with Tasmania’s Premier yesterday announcing the island’s border opening date would be delayed to July 31 instead of July 24 as planned.

All other jurisdictions except the NT are turning travellers from Victoria around if they try to come in.

They can still come to territory and self-isolate for 14 days until July 17, when forced hotel quarantine measures kick in.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner. Picture GLENN CAMPBELL

No exemptions will be issued for travellers coming from hot spots.

Territorians will also be hit with the government’s advertising, with residents warned that interstate travel could lead to forced quarantine when they come home if where they’ve been is declared a hotspot.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said the coronavirus crisis was a long way from being over and everyone needed to “stay vigilant and stay safe”.

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“So far we’ve made the Territory the safest place in Australia, and that’s how I want to keep it,” he said. “I’ve got one clear message. If you’re from a hot spot, stop, stay home, we don’t want you here.”