The Northern Territory has just one case of coronavirus but health groups are warning if stricter border measures meant to roll out on July 17 aren't introduced now, the results could be catastrophic for local communities.
Medical groups in the Northern Territory say a failure to put supervised quarantine in place immediately for Victorian arrivals could be "catastrophic" for the NT.NT health organisations want strict border controls in place now, rather than waiting until July 17.Chief Minister Michael Gunner has announced the NT's borders will be effectively closed to all Victorian arrivals from July 17, when the NT opens up to other visitors.
"We are asking the Chief Minister to immediately bring into force the supervised 14 day quarantining," Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance NT chief executive John Paterson said.Last week, NT Police described continuing non-compliance with quarantine orders as "utterly unacceptable", saying the selfish actions of a few people were exposing the public to potential danger.
Chief Minister Gunner yesterday insisted current self-quarantine arrangements were under control in the NT, citing a 99.6 per cent compliance rate. The fear from medical groups though, including the Australian Medical Association NT, is one "idiot" could be all it takes.
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NT borders shut to Victorian travellers 'indefinitely' | Sky News AustraliaThe Northern Territory will 'indefinitely' shut its borders to anyone travelling from a coronavirus hotspot in Victoria from July 17 when the territory is set to open to the rest of the country. \n\nNT Premier Michael Gunner said he would enforce a mandatory 14-day hotel quarantine period for any Victorians travelling to the territory for essential reasons. \n\nMr Gunner insisted there would be no exemptions made for anyone arriving from a hotspot and any previous exemptions given out would be nullified. \n\n“By being the first to act, and the fastest to act we’ve bought ourselves a time to make the right decision, I can make this decision today knowing that right now our borders are shut to all,” he said. \n\n“For me locking down as hard as you can, as early as you can, minimises the impact and the risk and you wont see that hesitation from me about doing that.” \n\nImage: Getty \n
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