NT govt had no contracts with hotels that ‘failed’ to help with COVID-19 quarantine surge needs

THE Territory’s hotel industry was never under any obligation to help the NT government deal with a tidal wave of coronavirus hot spot arrivals – but that didn’t stop the government throwing it under the bus.

• NT government ended contracts with 26 quarantine hotels in July, raising questions about lack of surge capabilities

THE Territory’s hotel industry was never under any obligation to help the NT government deal with a tidal wave of coronavirus hot spot arrivals – but that didn’t stop the government throwing it under the bus.

The NT’s declaration of an immediate hard border with South Australia this week led to a surge in arrivals into Alice Springs sparking a mad scramble for extra quarantine capacity on Tuesday night.

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Health Minister Natasha Fyles. Photograph: Che Chorley

Territory Families Minister Kate Worden. Picture: Justin Kennedy

Health Minister Natasha Fyles and Territory Families Minister Kate Worden went on the offensive on Wednesday, claiming contingency plans had hit a snag after a number of hotels that had “previously agreed” to provide rooms changed their minds.

The government since confirmed it had no contracts with any hotels to provide surge capacity before the event, though contingency arrangements were now being discussed.

A SecureNT spokeswoman said after Tuesday’s mad dash for rooms the government had since established a contract with a hotel in Alice Springs to provide an extra 25 quarantine rooms, food included.

This comes after the NT News revealed the government ended contracts with 26 accommodation providers in July when the Territory’s hot spot system came into play.

Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro said the hotel industry had been scapegoated and demanded Ms Fyles and Ms Worden apologise for attempting to shift blame.

A Territory government spokeswoman, representing both ministers, defended the comments and said fingers had not been pointed at particular providers.

Travellers from South Australia arrive for processing at Alice Springs airport on Wednesday, November 18.

“Based on our previous ­discussions it was disappointing that more bed space ­for short-term surge pressures wasn’t available on Tuesday night, but we are continuing productive ­discussions now,” she said.

Hospitality NT boss Alex Bruce said it wasn’t a “fair representation” that hotels had reneged on deals with the government, rather that there needed to be “iron clad agreements and understandings and protocols” for the safety of staff, guests, and community.

“Businesses (need) time to make staff adjustments, make PPE adjustments, make sure their customers, their workers and the community of Alice Springs are safe,” he said.

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The NT’s surge capacity plan also involves flying people from Alice Springs to quarantine in Darwin, but an errant bird struck the charter plane, which forced it to be grounded and ended that move on Tuesday night.