Travellers stream into NT as dozens put into Howard Springs to serve out quarantine period

A CAVALCADE of travellers have streamed into the Northern Territory, with more than a hundred crossing the newly relaxed borders each hour

Arrivals from Covid 19 hotspots at Darwin International Airport en route to mandatory Quarantine as Borders open to Interstate visitors. Picture GLENN CAMPBELL

A CAVALCADE of travellers have streamed into the Northern Territory, with more than a hundred crossing the newly relaxed borders each hour.

Official figures have revealed at least 930 people crossed the border from midnight to 9am yesterday, with only 11 of those forced into mandatory quarantine at Howard Springs at their own expense.

MORE:

Travellers arrive on first interstate flight after Northern Territory borders reopen

Tiwi Islands aged care facility staffer went to work the day she flew in from Sydney

Coronavirus rule-breakers in NT to be hit with $5000 fines from now

That number is likely to grow, with authorities confirming 53 people arriving at Darwin Airport yesterday afternoon were sent to Howard Springs.

NT Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker said authorities expected a surge in arrivals over the weekend, revealing they had information more than 500 caravans had been waiting on the edge of the South Australian border and similar numbers were waiting on the Queensland side.

Deputy Chief Health Officer Dianne Stephens (L) and Chief Minister Michael Gunner arrive at a press conference at the Howard Springs Quarantine centre as NT orders open to interstate visitors. Picture GLENN CAMPBELL

“We expect a surge here over the weekend from the grey nomad market … but equally Territorians who are choosing to return as the school holidays come to its conclusion,” he said.

As the NT’s borders were thrown open, Chief Health Officer Dr Hugh Heggie moved to assure Territorians the jurisdiction was ready to deal with any coronavirus cluster that popped up.

But he warned it was up to the community to keep the virus at bay by following social distancing and hygiene rules.

“You can see what happens around the world, so much harm done so many lives lost,” he said.

“One in 100 people will lose their lives.

“(The NT) is a safe place, but as you’ve seen in other jurisdictions … this comes down to human behaviours.”

Acting Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly echoed the sentiment, warning Australia was in a “very dangerous time” and reinforced the need for vigilance against coronavirus amid the outbreak in Victoria.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA -Prof Paul Kelly – Acting Chief Medical Officer provides an update Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“We have seen what happened in Melbourne, we do not want to see that happening in other parts of Australia, and in this case especially southwestern Sydney,” he said.

Victoria yesterday recorded 428 new cases and three deaths.

About 122 COVID-19 patients were being cared for in Victorian hospitals, 31 of them in intensive care.

More people have died from the virus in Victoria than the NT has had cases.

New South Wales, which has been dealing with a virus cluster in southwest Sydney, recorded eight new coronavirus cases.

The state also brought in tighter restrictions on gatherings, including on pubs and indoor hospitality venues while banning dancing, singing and mingling at weddings and corporate events.

In the NT punishment for breaking coronavirus safety rules have quadrupled for individuals and businesses, with a 25-year-old Queensland man with just hours to go until he was free to leave quarantine becoming the first to be slammed with a $5056 fine.

The man, who had opted to quarantine in a hotel, told police he “didn’t want to stay in four walls” in what became a very expensive breath of fresh air.

The fines for businesses which breach their COVID-19 safety management plan, don’t provide signage for physical distancing or don’t supply hand sanitiser can also be hit with fines of $25,280 up from $5530.

“We have tough borders, tough quarantine rules, and tough consequences for rule-breakers,” Chief Minister Michael Gunner said.

“Let’s be honest, we’ve all let our habits slip a bit, but now we need to get back in the habit and stay safe.

There’s not going to be any tolerance for rule-breakers. Everybody has a responsibility to help protect the Territory – that includes Territorians as well as visitors.”

Australia’s coronavirus tally has now exceeded 11,000.