In response to the coronavirus outbreak a 14-day isolation sanction for all travellers into Australia is being enforced and non-essential gatherings of more than 500 people have been banned, but NT schools are to remain open.
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The Chief Minister issued a statement on coronavirus yesterday saying the Territory is "well prepared" and "ahead of the game".
From today, the Security and Emergency Management Sub-Committee of Cabinet will meet daily to coordinate its response to coronavirus, Mr Gunner said.
The Chief Minister said he will continue to take advice from Australia's Chief Medical and Health Officers, while adopting the measures enforced by the Federal Government.
Cruise ships from foreign ports have been banned for 30 days, all people arriving in Australia will now have to self-isolate for 14 days, and non-essential gatherings of more than 500 people will be banned from today, but this does not apply to workplaces, schools, universities, supermarkets or public transport.
"The Territory is well prepared and ahead of the game, but we take nothing for granted. The health of Territorians come first," Mr Gunner said in a statement released yesterday.
"There is no community spread of the virus in the Territory to date, and we are taking these further actions now to reduce the risk to the community as much as possible.
"We will continue to work round the clock and act swiftly to protect Territorians."
The Territory is ahead of the game. That's where we intend to stay.
- Chief Minister Michael Gunner
He said government schools in the Northern Territory will remain open, and he has directed SecureNT to finalise a risk assessment tool which businesses and organisations can use to determine if their event can go ahead under the new measures.
"A quick and simple process for assessing an event, as well as a hotline for businesses and organisations, will be available to the community," Mr Gunner said.
"The SecureNT website and the SecureNT Facebook page will continue to be updated with new information and advice for Territorians.
"The Territory is ahead of the game. That's where we intend to stay."
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