In September, the Northern Territory (NT) Government announced their roadmap out of the pandemic, citing that vaccines are key to keeping Territorians safe. With this in mind, they have introduced a vaccination target of 80% by November 2021. 

Chief Minister Michael Gunner announced that all workers across high-risk settings in the NT must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before the Territory will change its border policies. Once vaccination rates of Territorians over 16 exceed 80%, New COVID rules will be introduced. In line with these rules, the Remote Area Health Corps (RAHC) is asking our Health Professionals (HPs) to provide evidence of their COVID-19 vaccinations before their placements.

By early November, vaccinations will be mandatory for three groups of workers:

  1. Those who directly interact with people especially vulnerable to COVID-19, including children, the aged and remote communities. This includes RAHCs HPs.
  2. Those in a healthcare setting, where the risk of the virus being brought into their workspace is significantly greater. For example, GP clinics and pharmacies.
  3. Those who work in areas critical to keeping the Territory running. This includes power, water and telecoms.

Around this time, interstate travel will transition to a system of green, orange and red zone categories, taking into consideration the vaccination status of the traveller.

Green Category: Travellers arriving from zones that are not designated hotspots are travelling from green zones. In this case, both vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers can enter the NT.

Orange Category: Travellers are arriving from a low to medium level COVID risk location fall into the orange category. 

  • Vaccinated travellers arriving from orange zones will be required to self-quarantine until they receive a negative test result.
  • Unvaccinated travellers without approved reasons for travel will be banned from entering the NT.
  • Unvaccinated travellers with an approved reason for travel will have to quarantine at Howard Springs or Alice Springs for 14 days.

Red Category: Travellers arriving from designated COVID hotspots fall into the red category. 

  • Vaccinated travellers will be required to do 14-days of self-quarantine. This can be either at home or in another suitable location.
  • Unvaccinated travellers without an approved reason for travel will be banned from entering the NT. Unvaccinated travellers with an approved reason for travel will be required to quarantine at Howard Springs or Alice Springs for 14 days.

To learn more about the NT Governments roadmap out of the pandemic, visit their website at: https://bit.ly/3uRLBdi