Coronavirus: Northern Territory to be first to ease restrictions with plan for ‘new normal’

One of the least-affected places in the country, the NT plans to lift restrictions and reach a ‘new normal’ by June.

A dummy dressed as a health worker on Bradshaw Drive, Alice Springs. Photo: EMMA MURRAY

The Northern Territory is set to release a detailed plan within the next week on how it will become the first government in Australia to ease restrictions on businesses and activities, with the aim of restoring the territory to a "new normal" by June.

The territory is one of the least-affected areas of Australia, not experiencing an increase in its case count of 28 since April 6.

However, the plan will not involve lifting strict restrictions on the arrival of interstate or international travellers until it is safe to do so, with NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner telling the NT news the plan is a "business before borders" strategy.

“The borders will be the last to go, no question. I’m not even thinking about relaxing our border controls. This is a Territory-first plan,” he said.

The "gradual easing of restrictions" is conditional, with limits to be imposed on the number of people in any establishment and strict cleaning protocols.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner addresses the media after National Cabinet this week. Picture: Che Chorley

It will also involve the establishment of response measures to "test, trace and trap" any further coronavirus outbreaks and plans to significantly increase testing and contract tracing measures.
The NT News reports that this will include heavy promotion of the Federal Government's coronavirus tracking app that will help identify the movements of Australians who have tested positive to the virus and who they have come into contact with while infectious.
The territory's remote communities, entry to which are strictly controlled under federal bio-security legislation, will have their restrictions lifted in a different way, though details on how are yet to be revealed.

Schools also returned on April 20, with most students returning to compulsory full-time face to face learning, with exceptions for parents who have contacted their children’s school about establishing learn-at-home arrangements.

Mr Gunner said that despite the reopening of the territory of 245,000 people, residents should not take the easing restrictions for granted and must stay vigilant in maintaining social distancing and hygiene measures.
“Easing restrictions will actually increase responsibility on all Territorians to keep doing the right thing," Mr Gunner said.

"It’s up to all of us to get this right. I don’t want us going back to square one.
“I know it’s been hard, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.
“We are going to do this on Territory time. We are doing what is right for the Territory, when it is right for the Territory.”