Coronavirus Northern Territory: All non-essential travellers to the Territory should be quarantined for 14 days
THE Northern Territory now has no choice but to follow in Tasmania’s footsteps and quarantine all non-essential travellers into the NT for 14 days.
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THE Northern Territory and Chief Minister Michael Gunner now have no choice but to follow in Tasmania’s footsteps and quarantine all non-essential travellers into the NT for 14 days.
We have now had two plane loads of people land in Darwin in the past 36 hours with people who have tested positive to coronavirus.
The time to act is now.
Following Tasmania would go a long way to reducing panic among Territorians who are concerned about what could happen if the virus takes hold here.
We now have three confirmed cases but how many others who landed from these planes are now infected?
Six of the Territory’s top health professionals warned immediate and strict action was needed to reduce the chance of coronavirus entering and spreading throughout the Territory.
Especially, the professionals are concerned about the devastating impact it could have on already vulnerable Territorians in remote communities.
At this point in time, it is imperative to be safe than sorry and do everything possible to keep the virus out of the Territory.
A poll of more than 2380 NT News readers shows more than 70 per cent believe Mr Gunner should close down our borders.
While it would have a short-term serious impact on the economy, the risk of doing nothing is far greater.
Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein yesterday announced strict new border measures to control the spread of coronavirus.
“From midnight, Friday 20 March, all non-essential travellers departing for Tasmania will be required to quarantine for 14 days,” he said.
“This is a tough, but necessary decision to flatten the curve, putting Tasmanians‘ health and well-being first.
“The quarantine period will not apply to essential travellers – such as health care workers, emergency workers, defence personnel, air and ship crew, specialists, and essential freight personnel (truck drivers/spirit freight), and there will be stringent guidelines to manage this.”
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Mr Gutwein added: “Mainland Australians flying into our islands then on to mainland Tasmania will need to self-quarantine when they arrive.
“All passengers will be screened on arrival and must demonstrate they meet the essential traveller criteria.”
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