Chief Minister Michael Gunner has today laid out the Territory's Roadmap to the New Normal – getting the NT back in business, back to work, and back to enjoying our great Territory lifestyle.
We have done whatever it takes to protect Territorians – to save lives and save jobs.
Because the Territory is the safest place in the nation, we can be the first in the nation to adjust restrictions in a staged and steady process, while still keeping Territorians safe.
The success of the roadmap to the new normal depends on Territorians continuing to be the best Territorians they can be, by maintaining physical distancing and good hygiene practices.
Stage one adjustments will commence from noon Friday 1 May, for simple and safe outdoor activities where physical distancing can be maintained at all times.
This includes:
- Personal gatherings including outdoor weddings and funerals.
- Playgrounds, parks and campgrounds outside biosecurity areas.
- Public swimming pools, lagoons and water parks.
- Outdoor sports where physical distancing can be maintained including golf and tennis as well as training outdoors.
- Go fishing, boating, and sailing with other people.
This also includes allowing real estate open house inspections and auctions, and gatherings in homes.
Stage two activities can commence from noon, Friday 15 May, and include safer indoor activities for less than two hours, such as:
- Shopping centre food courts.
- Restaurants, cafes, and bars for the consumption of food – excluding gaming areas.
- Organised outdoor training activities for sport teams without physical contact.
- Beauty therapy salons for non-facial services such as nails, massage and tanning.
- Gymnasium.
- Public libraries.
- Places used for religious worship – including indoor weddings and funerals.
Venues will be required to complete a simple COVID-19 safety plan checklist to ensure they are operating within physically distancing and hygiene guidelines. This will be made available from 5 May.
This will not create a new approvals process or red tape. Businesses will be able to complete and submit the simple checklist prior to opening, with health officers making subsequent compliance checks.
From noon, Friday 5 June, the two-hour time limit will be removed and restrictions will be eased on further indoor activities, including:
- Officiating, participating and supporting the playing of team sports such as football, basketball, soccer and netball
- TABs, and all licensed gaming venues.
- Any cinema or theatre, concert hall, music hall, dance hall, nightclub or any other similar entertainment venue in approved configuration.
- Previously restricted services at a place that provides beauty therapy, and/or cosmetic services including facial care.
- All businesses, facilities and services previously restricted can now resume ensuring adherence to key principles.
By 5 June all Territory businesses, services, facilities and organisations should have their own COVID-19 Safety Plan.
These changes also apply to communities within the Designated Biosecurity Areas.
The internal border controls we currently have in place under the Commonwealth Biosecurity Act are due to expire on the 18th of June.
The decision on whether to lift those controls will be made in partnership with the Federal Government, Land Councils and communities – and based on the health advice.
The Territory's existing border security and quarantine arrangements will not change.
