People who have symptoms and have had overseas travel or close contact with confirmed cases in the past 14 days need to call the TEHS Hotline 1800 008 002 to be triaged and make an appointment for testing if assessed as needing it.

Residents are advised to call ahead for an appointment and not just show up at the Katherine hospital.

COVID-19 has been declared a Public Health Emergency for the whole of NT

This includes the requirement for people who have travelled overseas in the past 14 days to remain in home quarantine.

Police are authorised officers under the Public & Environmental Health Act and can enforce quarantine for these people.

People who are aware of others who should be but are not self-quarantining, can report them to the Police via the non-urgent phone number (131444).

The opening of the clinic comes as the NT recorded its third case of the coronavirus yesterday.

Health authorities are still trying to trace those who may have come into contact with the two latest cases, especially on their plane flights into Darwin.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said: "The threat of coronavirus is real, it is serious, and, as we knew would eventually happen, it is now here in the Territory."

He said the National Cabinet has given in-principle agreement for the Commonwealth Biosecurity Act to be used to restrict travel into and out of remote communities.

"I have confirmed with the Federal Government that all 76 remote communities in the NT which asked to be protected should have the Act applied to them, as requested by the Land Councils and the National Aboriginal and Community Controlled Health Organisations.

"Exemptions will be made for medical emergencies, and the supply and maintenance of essential goods and services."

Given the nation's uncertain economic circumstances and the extreme difficulty of making economic and fiscal forecasts at this time, all governments have agreed to suspend the delivery of their budgets until after the Commonwealth delivers its budget in October 2020.

The NT Government will advise a new budget date in the near future.

Meanwhile, NT Aboriginal leaders have united to call on Chief Minister Michael Gunner to "do what it takes" and immediately declare the entire Territory and the remote tri-state border region in South Australia and Western Australia a special control area.

The Aboriginal Peak Organisations of the NT have requested an urgent meeting with Aboriginal leaders and Mr Gunner to progress the establishment of the quarantine zone before it is too late.

"If this virus gets into our communities it will wipe out an entire generation of elders and many, many younger people as well," John Paterson, the CEO of the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance of the NT, said.

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