Proof of vaccination rules quietly changed in Northern Territory

The Northern Territory’s peak hospitality body has censured new chief health officer directions which ‘have more holes than Swiss cheese’ and ‘demonise alcohol’.

THE Northern Territory’s peak hospitality body has censured new chief health officer (CHO) directions which “have more holes than Swiss cheese” and “demonise alcohol”.

Under the new rules, which quietly came into effect on Thursday, proof of vaccination is no longer required to attend large public events and sports venues in the Northern Territory.

But in a confusing move, patrons will still be required to show their vaccination pass when purchasing alcohol at licensed venues, including licensed sports events.

Hospitality NT chief executive Alex Bruce said there appeared to be a lack of science behind the CHO’s decision, which he says are anti-alcohol measures disguised as Covid-19 directions.

“The new rules don’t make sense,” he said.

“How is it that 15,000 people at a packed out TIO stadium don’t need to show their vaccination pass, yet people at a licensed cafe for 30 must?

“And if you’re unvaxxed, you can sit in the crowd at the stadium and get your vaccinated mate to get you a beer?”

Previously, Territorians over the age of 16 were required to show their vaccine pass to attend public events with more than 500 people in major population centres, and public events with more than 100 people outside major centres.

An NT Health spokesman said the new rules for sports venues would provide clarity, and the CHO would continue to review directions in line with the Territory’s transition to living with Covid-19.

“Proof of vaccination is no longer needed to attend a sporting venue when participating in, or watching sport or exercise,” the spokesman said.

“These changes were implemented as a priority to provide clarification about access to sporting venues and ensure the community continues to engage in sport and exercise.”

The spokesman did not provide an explanation why the vaccine pass would still be required when purchasing alcohol, but said venues requiring the pass would continue to be assessed.

“As bars at sporting venues have a liquor license, patrons are required to show their vaccine pass when purchasing alcohol,” the spokesman said.

CHO directions quietly changed

PROOF of vaccination is no longer required to attend large public events and sports venues after the chief health officer (CHO) quietly revoked the Covid-19 directions for the Northern Territory.

But in a confusing move, patrons will still be required to show their vaccination pass when purchasing alcohol at licensed venues, including licensed sports events.

The new direction came into effect on Thursday, but the only notification of the changes was a new entry on the NT government Covid-19 website under the “CHO directions” tab.

Previously, Territorians over the age of 16 were required to show their vaccine pass to attend public events with more than 500 people in major population centres, and public events with more than 100 people outside major centres.

In a confusing move, patrons will still be required to show their vaccination pass when purchasing alcohol at licensed venues, despite unvaccinated people being allowed into licensed sporting venues. Picture Julianne Osborne

An NT Health spokesman said the new rules for sports venues would provide clarity, and the CHO would continue to review directions in line with the Territory’s transition to living with Covid-19.

“Proof of vaccination is no longer needed to attend a sporting venue when participating in, or watching sport or exercise,” the spokesman said.

“These changes were implemented as a priority to provide clarification about access to sporting venues and ensure the community continues to engage in sport and exercise.”

The spokesman did not provide an explanation why the vaccine pass would still be required when purchasing alcohol, but said venues requiring the pass would continue to be assessed.

“As bars at sporting venues have a liquor license, patrons are required to show their vaccine pass when purchasing alcohol,” the spokesman said.

“The CHO continues to assess the use of the vaccine pass at other venues where it is currently in place, such as bars, pubs, nightclubs, restaurants, casinos, cinemas and theatres.”

Originally published as Proof of vaccination rules quietly changed in Northern Territory