SA’s borders reopening on July 20 as the Territory waits for a date

SOUTH Australia’s borders are reopening on July 20 but there is still no word if the Northern Territory will follow suit.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner, left, said he will be touching base with SA Premier Steven Marshall on the issue of borders when National Cabinet reconvenes on Friday

SOUTH Australia’s borders are reopening on July 20 — but Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner is yet to give a date on when the NT will reopen.

SA Premier Steven Marshall announced after the national cabinet meeting that SA would reopen its borders to the rest of Australia on July 20.

Mr Gunner’s office said an announcement on a date for the Territory’s borders would be made ”within a week”.

However, given SA shares a border with the NT is is highly likely the Territory will also reopen on July 20.

Mr Gunner has said previously he would give businesses 30 days notice for when the borders would reopen.

If July 20 is the chosen date, it gives Mr Gunner until next Friday to announce it.

Queensland is expected to open its borders on July 10.

Mr Gunner told the NT News: “I am going to get this right. There is too much at stake to stuff it up. I’ve got to be sure Territorians are safe.

“We are in the final stretch now. Our borders will open sooner rather than later, when it is safe and only when it is safe.

“We acted early to secure our borders and it has put us in the good position we are in now.

“We’ve been the best in the nation for staying safe from corona, and I want to stay the safest as we make our way out the other side.

“We’ve got a plan, we’ve stuck to our plan, and our plan is working.

“I’ll keep doing what is right for the Territory, when it is right for the Territory.”

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It comes as NT’s Chamber of Commerce and Business SA called for travel to be opened between the SA, NT and WA.

However it is believed travel bubbles are unconstitutional.

It is understoood Mr Gunner and chief health officer Hugh Heggie are monitoring national COVID-19 numbers daily.

Mr Marshall said he thought opening up SA’s borders with places like the NT and WA first was the “logical way to go.”

WA Premier Mark McGowan said he will open the border with eastern states when it’s safe to do so.

NT’s Tourism Rebound Taskforce chairman Michael Bridge said while he supported the idea of a travel bubble, he would prefer reopening everything at once.

“I think any opening of the borders at this point in time is positive but at the end of the day, most of our domestic visitation comes out of Victoria and NSW,” he said.

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Last year the NT had 296,000 visitors from VIC, spending $463M and 291,000 visitors from NSW, spending $421M compared to 120,000 visitors from SA, spending $175M and 94,000 visitors from WA, spending $150M.