NT Government to watch and wait on evolving situation in Victoria, with border restrictions to only apply to Melburnians post-July 17

THE NT’s borders will still open to the rest of Victoria on July 17 while Melbourne residents will continue to be barred – but changes could be made in the next 10 days depending on how the situation evolves in Victoria, Health Minister Natasha Fyles has said.

Health Minister Natasha Fyles says changes to the NT’s border restrictions could be made in the next 10 days depending on how the coronavirus situation evolves in Victoria. Picture: Glenn Campbell

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THE NT’s borders will remain open to the rest of Victoria while Melbourne residents will continue to be barred, says Health Minister Natasha Fyles.

However, Ms Fyles said changes could be made in the next 10 days depending on how the situation evolves in Victoria.

“So right now we acknowledge that (in) Victoria, the situation there is evolving rapidly, but we have time, we have 10 days until we see the next change in the Northern Territory’s border restrictions,” Ms Fyles said.

“And so we’re able to listen to the clinical evidence and make decisions, but right now we have got the hotspots across Melbourne and that’s why we have said that anyone coming in after the 17th, expect to go to mandatory quarantine from Melbourne, but that could change over the coming hours, days, weeks.”

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An area is deemed a hotspot when it contains five or more cases of COVID-19 with community transmission.

Ms Fyles said the man who tested positive for coronavirus in the NT last week continued to be in the care of health professionals at Royal Darwin Hospital, with contact tracing being undertaken by staff at the Centre for Disease Control.

“And it’s a timely reminder for Territorians, if you’re feeling unwell, you need to reach out to your health provider,” she said.

“We did nearly 2000 coronavirus tests in the Territory last week (and) can make arrangements for you to get tested in terms of people that may have been on that flight, please.”

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She did not say whether everyone who had been in close contact with the man had been contacted by authorities.

Those on the flight who had exemptions have had those revoked and are now in quarantine.