Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
NT to bolster COVID rules for businesses
The Northern Territory will require businesses, such as cafes and gyms, to record and store patrons’ details from November 30.
November 2, 2020
The Northern Territory is set to relax its COVID-19 travel restrictions on regional Victoria as plans are made to bolster the Top End’s contact tracing regime.
From noon on Monday, people who have been in country Victoria will be welcome back in the NT without quarantining, Chief Minister Michael Gunner says.
“They are as safe as we are,” he told reporters.
It comes as the NT announces new contact tracing rules for businesses to help health workers track people should an outbreak of the virus occur in the community.
“It makes sense to add another layer of defence against the coronavirus, just in case,” Mr Gunner said.
Businesses, including cafes, pubs, bars, restaurants and cinemas will be required from November 30 to record for 28 days patrons’ details if they stay longer than 15 minutes.
The list also includes hairdressers, beauty therapy salons, tourism operators, swimming pools, gyms, casinos, indoor sporting facilities, libraries, art galleries and churches.
Affected businesses will also be required to appoint “COVID safety supervisors” and update their safety plans every six months.
Police will undertake compliance checks.
More than 230,000 people are expected to visit the NT in the six months to December 30, including Australians returning from overseas.
Greater Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire, north of the city, remain on the NT’s COVID-19 hotspot list.