Chief Minister Michael Gunner says Territorians should cancel their Christmas plans if they plan to travel because the border closures are likely to stay until 2022.
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Mr Gunner told media this morning the NT would likely add more coronavirus hotspots than remove any as is currently in place for Victoria and Greater Sydney.
Travelers from hotspots, that would include Territorians heading to hotspots for Christmas, would have to go into forced quarantine, most likely at Howard Springs, for two weeks on their return.
Mr Gunner said the NT was planning to maintain border controls for at least 18 months.
"My advice to every Territorian is if you can stay in the Territory. You're safe here, don't go," he told ABC.
"If you can, cancel your Christmas holiday plans and stay here in the Northern Territory.
"We're working towards at least an 18-month window from today towards the end of next year if how we are resourcing our borders."
Mr Gunner said extra police and health officials are being recruited to help monitor arrivals into the NT.
Meanwhile, the NT's last case of coronavirus, a US Marine who tested positive last month, has received his second negative test result today and can leave isolation.
The 21-year-old tested positive after arriving from Japan.
More than 1000 US Marines have completed quarantine in the Northern Territory, with training now well underway as part of this year's Marine Rotational Force - Darwin.
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Chris McLennan
ACM national rural property writer based in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Career journalist. Multi award winner.
ACM national rural property writer based in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Career journalist. Multi award winner.
