Mounting speculation the NT could take all overseas repatriation arrivals

THERE is growing speculation that Darwin, with its nation-leading Howard Springs quarantine facility, may become the prime gateway for international repatriation flights after the continued failure of interstate COVID-19 hotel facilities.

• NT to double numbers of repatriated Aussies it will take

THERE is growing speculation that Darwin, with its nation-leading Howard Springs quarantine facility, may become the prime gateway for international repatriation flights after the continued failure of interstate COVID-19 hotel facilities.

Interstate sources said there was growing frustration with continued hotel quarantine failures. The sources told the Sunday Territorian that some interstate authorities saw the proven success of the Territory’s quarantine model as a strong case for Darwin to be recognised as the safest entry point in the nation for returning Australians to land.

The executive director of the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre Len Notaras yesterday refused to be drawn on the likelihood of Darwin becoming the repatriation flight gateway, although he did concede that the Darwin quarantine model was seen by other jurisdictions as the gold standard model.

NCCTRC executive director Len Notaras fronts the media. Picture: Glenn Campbell

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Mr Notaras was speaking at a press conference to discuss revelations that a repatriated woman, 26, who tested positive to COVID-19 on December 31, had been found to have the new UK strain of the virus.

Mr Notaras said there was no risk to the general community, and the identification of the COVID variant was testimony to the extreme vigilance that was taking place at the Howard Springs facility.

He said national cabinet and the nation’s key decision making committee for health emergencies, the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, considered Darwin was the model for dealing with returning Australians and COVID-19 cases.

“We wish to maintain that benchmark,” Mr Notaras said.

“Hotel quarantine has been through a number of different phases, and in some cases it is extremely successful, but by the same token the preferred model is a model that is similar to what we have here in Darwin.

“I believe there is a real desire for other jurisdictions for Darwin’s model if such facilities can be identified interstate. That isn’t easy.”

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Mr Notaras said more than 2500 people had so far been housed at Howard Springs as part of repatriation flights.

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