Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet
The Chief Health Officer has declared a hotspot for Cairns and Yarrabah, Queensland for the purposes of travel to the Northern Territory effective at 12noon, August 8, 2021.
Hotspot locations include:
City of Cairns
Aboriginal shire of Yarrabah
This is in addition to a number of hotspots already in place in South East Queensland.
Anyone travelling to the Northern Territory, who has been to the above hotspot locations and arrives in the Northern Territory after 12noon today will be required to undertake 14 days of mandatory supervised quarantine at the Alice Springs or Howard Springs quarantine facilities.
Anyone already in the Northern Territory who has been to a COVID-19 public exposure site in Cairns or Yarrabah since July 29, must isolate and get tested. You must stay isolated until you receive a negative result.
From midnight tonight, anyone from a declared hotspot is not permitted to travel to the Northern Territory without an approved exemption.
Those with an approval to travel to the Territory must still undertake 14 days of mandatory supervised quarantine.
Public exposure sites continue to change and it is important that those people who have arrived in the Northern Territory from these hotspot areas check the Queensland Health website daily to review the list of public exposure sites and comply with the directions.
A list of declared COVID-19 hotspots can be found on the NT COVID-19 website at https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/
To book a COVID-19 test, book online at https://covid19appointment.nt.gov.au/test or contact the COVID-19 Hotline on 1800 490 484.
The Chief Health Officer will continue to review and assess the COVID-19 situation across Australia, and will take into account COVID-19 monitoring and data collection, the extent of community transmission and risks to the NT community.
The risk of COVID-19 in our communities cannot be eliminated which is why it is important for everyone to follow all health directions.
· Check in using The Territory Check In App every time, everywhere
· If you have symptoms, stay away from others and get tested for COVID-19
· Wash your hands with soap and water and use hand sanitiser regularly
· Do not go to work if you feel sick
· Maintain a physical distance of 1.5 metres where possible
QUOTES FROM DR HUGH HEGGIE, CHIEF HEALTH OFFICER
This latest declaration has shown how quickly the situation can change.
We are asking anyone who has been in the Northern Territory who has been to a COVID-19 public exposure site in Cairns or Yarrabah since July 29, to isolate and get tested. You must stay isolated until you receive a negative result.
Our best defence against this COVID-19 is vaccination. Please roll up your sleeve and book an appointment today.
