8 September 2022
As the Northern Territory continues to transition to living with COVID-19, isolation rules are set to change from Friday 9 September.
Following advice from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) to National Cabinet the NT will see isolation for positive COVID-19 cases reduce from seven to five days.
This change will make sure we are keeping our workforce moving while also keeping the community safe.
Other isolation and mask wearing changes which come into effect on Friday 9 September are:
Upon a positive COVID-19 test isolation starts for five days. People who have no symptoms can leave isolation at 12 noon on day five.For five days following isolation, masks must be worn when outside the home. People must also not enter a high risk facility for five days unless they live there or require access to a service. People who work in high risk settings, including aged care and disability care, cannot return to work until day seven of their isolation period, but can leave isolation on day five to undertake their normal activities.Passengers travelling on all outbound flights from the Territory are no longer required to wear a mask while on the plane.The NT will transition to the publication of weekly COVID-19 data on the NT Health COVID-19 website.The requirements for people who are a close contact in the NT remain in place, including having a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) within three days of becoming a close contact and on day six.
People who test positive to a Rapid Antigen Test must immediately declare their result using the online declaration form here. Territorians are also required to test for COVID-19 if they experience symptoms 28 days after a COVID-19 infection.
Free Rapid Antigen Tests are available from a number of participating GP clinics, remote and urban primary health clinics and Aboriginal health clinics across the NT. They can also be purchased from pharmacies and supermarkets. For a full list of distribution points visit: health.nt.gov.au/covid-19 here
Some people who test positive for COVID-19 are more at risk of becoming seriously ill. Anti-viral treatments are available for those at moderate to high risk but timing is critical.
