The ‘onus is on everyone’ to ensure unvaccinated people comply with Covid protocols
There will still be “very limited places” the unvaccinated can go in the NT after the government made big changes to border entry requirements.
Northern Territory
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern Territory. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE “onus is on everyone” to ensure unvaccinated people now permitted to enter the Territory without quarantine do the right thing around venues and ticketed events, Health Minister Natasha Fyles says.
Unvaccinated people are now free to travel into the Territory quarantine-free and no longer required to fill out a border declaration form upon arrival, allowing the NT government to redeploy “finite” resources “where we need them”, she said.
In an earlier statement, Chief Minister Michael Gunner said the risk from arrivals “no longer outweighs the Covid-19 risk in the Territory”.
Minister Fyles told the ABC on Monday, with people having to be fully vaccinated to enter venues and major ticketed events, there would still be “very limited places” the unvaccinated could go.
“There’s an onus on all of us… and if we do the wrong thing, there is a potential they will be caught and have a $5000 fine,” Minister Fyles said.
“We do ask businesses to help us ensure they comply but at the same time there’s also that personal responsibility.
“There will be very limited locations that they can go.”
She said despite Omicron being “widespread” in the Territory government health officials were “comfortable” with the decision considering high rates of vaccination.
“There’s still a number of measures to ensure that our broader community is protected,” she said.
“It means those health and police resources can be better focused where we need them.”
She expected the number of unvaccinated people entering the Territory to “rise slightly”.
However, she could not provide a date when the community would no longer have to wear masks, which were still a “really effective health measure”.
“We’re very conscious… that in our heat they’re not the most comfortable to wear,” she said.
“We don’t want to leave them in place unnecessarily, but that health advice is still there.”
She said numbers at the Howards Springs quarantine hub had “decreased significantly the latest number… I had was a couple of hundred towards the end of last week”.
Announced at a press conference on Monday morning, the Territory has hit a vaccine milestone delivering more than 500 jabs in Territorian arms since the vax rollout started one year ago.
The Territory now has a double dose rate of more than 95 per cent, a booster rate of more than 45 per cent and a first dose rate of more than 5 per cent for kids aged 5-11.
Other significant achievements include:
- 511,000 doses administered
- More than 86,000 booster doses administered
- Almost 80 per cent of 12 to 15 year-olds have received two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine
Ms Fyles praised the NT Government and Territorians for their efforts to fight the virus but urged that “there is still more work to do with the priority to get more booster doses into the arms of Territorians”.
Rapid Antigen Tests spending claims
THE government has tried to dismiss claims its spending over 10 per cent of the Territory’s health budget on Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs).
It came after the CLP released details of a 12-month contract, currently out to tender, in which the NT government sought bidders to supply $130m worth of RATs.
In a statement on Tuesday, Health Minister Natasha Fyles said the $130m figure was only to be spent over a three-year period, in the event the Covid-19 pandemic tracked at a worst-case scenario.
“A three-year worst-case supply estimate was released to market to ensure only suppliers able to meet our highest possible long term supply volume tender,” Ms Fyles said.
“The Government will procure RATs on a year-on-year basis, with the option to extend by 12 months at a time.
“This allows it to secure long term access to RATs for Territorians but gives it the option cease procurement when demand eases.”
Speaking prior to the NT government’s correction, CLP health spokesman Bill Yan questioned where the government was finding the money to afford such a large order of RATs.
“Imagine what we could do with $130m,” Mr Yan said.
“Imagine the nurses that we can employ, the change we could make to our mental health system, the facilities we could provide for Territorians.”
NT Govt’s eye-watering $130m spend on RATs
THE Opposition have questioned why up 11 per cent of the Northern Territory’s health budget will be spent on Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs).
The NT government have released a $130m tender seeking to purchase the tests over the next 12 months.
That’s despite the tests only being provided by the NT government in schools, childcare, healthcare settings and to people who are displaying symptoms of Covid-19.
CLP Health spokesman Bill Yan questioned whether the amount of tests being ordered was necessary.
“Based on a $12 retail price, $130m will get the Gunner Labor Government more than 10.8m tests – which roughly equates to 29,680 tests per day over the next year,” Mr Yan said.
He said the government had removed the requirement for domestic and international arrivals to undertake three RATs in the week after arriving.
“Currently, business have to source their own RAT kits for essential workers; young children and non-essential workers are only required to test if they are close contacts or symptomatic.
“So why does the NT Government think we need this many additional RAT kits? A testing regime of close to 30,000 Territorians every day for the next 12 months seems excessive.”
The NT government has been contacted for comment.
Originally published as The ‘onus is on everyone’ to ensure unvaccinated people comply with Covid protocols
Join the conversation
‘See some records broken’: First medals given out as ‘Games with Heart’ kicks off
One of the biggest weeks on the Red Centre sporting calendar is underway in full force, drawing thousands of competitors – some of whom have already taken out the top prize. SEE THE PICTURES.
Read more
Fire fears as heritage-listed mural sits forgotten after $3m acquisition
A fire danger period being declared hasn’t spurred the government into action over a site it acquired for more than $3 million – leading to fears an important piece of NT heritage could be reduced to ash.
Read more
Ankle monitors no deterrent for young crims as cafe boss hit twice
Two hospitality venues in Palmerston have been ransacked to the tune of about $20,000, with incredible CCTV stills illustrating at least one devil-may-care youth offender wearing an ankle monitoring bracelet.
Read more
‘Support us’: Flood-prone community holds emergency meeting with authorities
A remote Top End community with a long history of being hit by floods has met with authorities, calling for greater emergency support and a long-term solution to house their residents.
Read more
Darwin soldier claims boozy brawl was a ‘preemptive strike’
A young Darwin soldier has claimed his defence training spurred him to shatter a man’s jaw in a popular Top End nightclub.
Read more
REPLAY: Magpies impress in first outing of new campaign
Is this a changing of the guard moment in the NTFL women’s competition? A young Palmerston side has overcome a rebuilding Waratah to kick off their season in style. Check the REPLAY.
Read more