‘We are going to be meeting daily to see what is happening’: Acting Chief Minister firm on hot spot declarations

SIX million people remain locked out of the Territory after health advice recommended keeping NSW hot spots in place

• More than 3800 in the NT asked to self-isolate after NSW outbreak
• Jetstar suspends Sydney to NT flights from Christmas Day until at least January 8 due to NSW COVID-19 cluster

SIX million people remain locked out of the Territory after health advice yesterday recommended keeping NSW hot spots in place.

This was despite a drop in community acquired COVID-19 in NSW, which recorded eight cases.

Acting Chief Minister Nicole Manison said cabinet had received advice from Chief Health Officer Hugh Heggie recommending hot spots stay in place. “We are keeping an eye on the situation in Sydney,” she said.

MORE COVID-19 NEWS

COVID signs sending Territorians to Dr Google

Christmas travel plans ruined? Know your rights

More than 3800 in the NT asked to self-isolate amid COVID concerns

“We are going to be meeting daily to see what is happening and we will keep Territorians updated on any changes. And we will also respond to them and make changes as we think are required.”

It comes as Jetstar cancelled all festive season flights between Sydney and the NT because of the evolving COVID-19 situation in NSW.

The airline announced yesterday that all flights between Sydney and Darwin and Sydney and Uluru would be halted from Christmas Day until at least January 8.

Passengers impacted are encouraged to bring their flights forward if possible via the website at no extra cost.

The cancellations were announced just two days after passengers on a flight from Sydney to Darwin were forced into Howard Springs when the NT Government declared Greater Sydney a COVID-19 hot spot as the plane was midair.

Ms Manison said 80 people who were told when they arrived in Darwin on Sunday that they would be unable to enter the Territory chose to fly back to NSW on Monday – flights the government has promised to pay for.

She did not answer a question from the NT News about the cost of the flights but said it was “a much cheaper option” than keeping them in Howard Springs. Health Minister Natasha Fyles announced on Monday that those who had purchased their own flights back – often at hiked prices – would be reimbursed by the government.

Ms Manison said she didn’t know how long that would take. “Clearly that will have to get processed and so forth and we understand that will be a really big inconvenience to those people,” she said.

NT NEWS SIZZLING DEAL: Get all your news for just $5 a month

“We understand that it is the time when you do want to have a bit of extra cash in your pocket at Christmas time and that will impact the family budget so we do appreciate the great inconvenience that is caused to people.”

One Twitter user, who the NT News understands was one of the impacted travellers who flew back to Sydney yesterday, posted: “We’ve just been told that due to the Christmas season, it’ll probably take a couple of weeks.”

Ms Manison was also faced with some difficult questions about who was actually in charge after confirming Chief Minister Michael Gunner is phoning into every cabinet meeting from where he is holidaying in Queensland.

Follow @MsSarahMatthews