New border control measures will start at midnight tomorrow are also intended to stop caravans visiting Katherine en route to other destinations.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
An alarming number of tourists were seen shopping and sleeping in Katherine over the weekend as the current rules allow entrants to stay in a major town for one-night without restrictions en route to their self-quarantine destination.
Following concerns from residents that such exemptions may still be permitted under the new rules, clarification was sought by the Katherine Times from the Northern Territory's COVID-19 response team.
"Given that the announcement was only yesterday people here are very busy processing how to apply the new directions operationally," a media spokeswoman for the team said.
"However, people will not be allowed to travel through the Northern Territory into other states without fulfilling quarantine measures.
More reading:
"When people enter the border, they will go directly into supervised quarantine," the spokesperson said.
Chief Minister Michael Gunner spoke to firmly to visitors while making yesterday's announcements, remarking "we do not want you", a sentiment shared my many Katherine residents online over the last few days.
The Katherine Times has asked for information about the location of the hotels for those interstate arrivals who still cross the border and will require 14-day hotel stays.
"It hasn't been determined yet what locations will be used to quarantine people, but that's something we're now working out and will know more about later today," the COVID-19 response team spokeswoman said.
More to come.
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox each Friday at 6am from the Katherine Times. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.
