Major change for travellers to the NT as frustrating testing rules are scrapped but a negative rapid antigen test will be required on arrival
- The Northern Territory has eased PCR testing requirements for travellers
- New arrivals are no longer required to show evidence of a negative PCR test
- They will now be handed a RAT upon arrival in the NT and get results in two hours
The Northern Territory has detected 75 new COVID-19 infections as testing requirements for travellers are further eased due to interstate chaos.
New arrivals are no longer required to show evidence of a negative PCR test taken 72 hours before travelling to the territory.
They will now be handed a rapid antigen test upon arrival in the NT so they can self-test and report their result within two hours.
New arrivals are no longer required to show evidence of a negative PCR test taken 72 hours before travelling to the territory (pictured: A couple at Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve, Northern Territory, Australia)
They will now be handed a rapid antigen test upon arrival in the NT so they can self-test and report their result within two hours
'If you are in a queue down south trying to get a PCR test, leave and we will sort it out when you get here,' Chief Minister Michael Gunner told reporters on Tuesday.
Children under two years are not required to be tested.
Mr Gunner said the policy change was a response to testing issues in other states that had seen long queues, delayed result delivery and clinics close.
Share this article
'PCR supply and testing down south are getting thinner and thinner. They are buckling in some places. The shelves are empty of RAT kits,' he said.
'It is now clear we need to be in full control of our testing regime and we cannot rely on other jurisdictions.
'You have to keep moving and adjusting as COVID moves and adjusts'.
It comes as fears grow that the virus could have spread to another remote Indigenous community.
A Gunbalanya man tested positive after he travelled to his home in west Arnhem Land, about 300km east of Darwin.
People are seen lining up at a test at a clinic in Syndey where queues have been astronomical
New arrivals are no longer required to show evidence of a negative PCR test taken 72 hours before travelling to the territory (Pictured: A woman getting a test in Bondi)
'The man has spent time in Darwin prior to his arrival,' Mr Gunner said.
'He spent time in the community in Gunbalanya while likely to be infections and has spent time in his home with nine others'.
The vaccination rate in the community of about 1000 people is 86 per cent first dose and 71 per cent double-jabbed.
Health workers have started testing residents and the road into the community remains closed.
Meanwhile, four infections were diagnosed in Tennant Creek, 510km north of Alice Springs, as the Delta outbreak that started in Darwin in late October continues to grow.
Testing sites have been rammed with residents since Omicron entered Australia with long wait times for tests and results
The four cases are close contacts of previous cases from a town camp and were quarantined when they were diagnosed with the virus.
Of the 75 new infections territory-wide, more than 40 are interstate and international travellers, and about seven cases are under investigation.
Three cases are presumed to be as a result of community transmission and 21 are known close contacts.
Twenty-four people are in territory hospitals with COVID-19 but only four have symptoms and none are in intensive care.
Most watched News videos
- Bodycam shows Riley Strain speaking to cops night he went missing
- 'Compelling' images appear to show 'Loch Ness monster' moving around
- Deliveroo rider seen after biting off customer's thumb
- Reeves: We are falling behind our competitors
- Wills waves to cheering crowds in first outing since trip with Kate
- Prince William makes sweet remark about wanting Kate by his side
- World's politest protestor waits for show to end before interrupting
- Shocking clip of man's best friend taped to lampost by angry neighbour
- Ireland's Varadkar steps down from his position as Prime Minister
- Incredible drone footage shows inside of melted Fukushima reactor
- British Airways crew Holly Walton filmed making 'racist' gestures
- 'Loch Ness monster' seen moving around in 'compelling' video
