NT border restrictions to be reviewed weekly as quarantine rules will be eased for arrivals from June 15

THE NT’s borders are inching closer toward being unshackled, with the first set of restrictions to be pared back from June 15 and Chief Minister Michael Gunner to switch from monthly to weekly reviews of the Territory’s border controls

THE NT’s borders are inching closer toward being unshackled, with the first set of restrictions to be pared back from June 15.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner will also switch from monthly to weekly reviews of the Territory’s border controls, with a promise of a 30-day heads-up for businesses to prepare for open day.

From June 15, interstate arrivals into the NT will be allowed to self-isolate at home, at a mate’s place, a hotel or other accommodation that meets appropriate health guidelines.

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Chief Minister Michael Gunner with NT Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker (right) on May 20, 2020, checking on the NT's border control measures. Picture: Supplied

Effectively, the NT is returning to the quarantine rules that existed just before arriving travellers were forced into a hotel of the government’s choice for 14 days at a cost of $2500.

Those in mandatory quarantine will continue to be monitored by authorities, with significant fines if they’re found flouting the law.

Relaxation of quarantine rules will come with a new testing regimen, with people to be tested within the first 72 hours of their 14-day lockdown and again 72 hours prior to their freedom.

Quarantine will not end unless both tests are negative for COVID-19.

The timing of these rollbacks means kids studying across the borders will be able to return for the school holidays without the extra cost.

How well these new rules work in containing coronavirus is a “critical step”, alongside a decline in community transmission situation in southern states, toward unlocking the NT’s borders completely, Mr Gunner said. This will be reviewed each week.

“Then we can make a call on easing the border restrictions, once it is safe, and only once it is safe,” he said.

The announcement comes as the NT is nearly a week away from a third swath of restriction rollbacks, including greater freedoms at the pub, gym and the return of outdoor team sport on June 5.

Territorians will also be allowed to move freely within the jurisdiction from that day as biosecurity zones are dissolved.

Mr Gunner said keeping the borders closed to neighbouring states had allowed Territorians to move freely across the NT, as his greatest fear was coronavirus entering a remote vulnerable indigenous community.

“Let’s be clear, we are the freest place in the country,” he said.

NT’s Chief Health Officer Dr Hugh Heggie, during a parliamentary hearing on Thursday, said any decision to open the NT’s domestic borders had to be “really considered” as it was the Territory’s main defence against coronavirus entering.

Mr Gunner also revealed in the hearing that the conclusive trigger for the borders reopening was flexible and the Government, based on health advice, did not believe the discovery of a vaccine or the eradication of community transmission will be required.

NT Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker said the Territory was in a “fantastic position” where the likelihood of community transmission was “very, very low” at present.

“The moment the borders come up the reality is, that changes,” he said.

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The NT and the ACT are the only jurisdiction in Australia with no active COVID-19 cases. Western Australia recorded seven new cases yesterday, Victoria recorded 10 and NSW one.