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Some gathering restrictions are set to be relaxed in the Northern Territory over the next two months, with the first stage of adjustments to come into play from Friday 1 May.
The move by the NT Government makes the Territory the first jurisdiction in Australia to commence relaxing restrictions.
From noon this Friday stage one set of adjustments will start allowing Northern Territorians to engage in simple and safe outdoor activities where physical distancing can be maintained at all times.
This includes:
- Personal gatherings including outdoor weddings and funerals.
- Playgrounds, parks and campgrounds outside biosecurity areas.
- Public swimming pools, lagoons and water parks.
- Outdoor sports where physical distancing can be maintained including golf and tennis as well as training outdoors.
- Go fishing, boating, and sailing with other people.
From noon on Friday 15 May further restrictions on visiting bars, public indoor spaces, and shopping centres will be relaxed including:
- Shopping centre food courts.
- Restaurants, cafes, and bars for the consumption of food excluding gaming areas.
- Organised outdoor training activities for sport teams without physical contact.
- Beauty therapy salons for non-facial services such as nails, massage and tanning.
- Gymnasiums.
- Public libraries.
- Places used for religious worship including indoor weddings and funerals.
To reopen a venue in the NT a COVID-19 safety plan must be completed, and health officers will be conducting compliance checks.
From noon, Friday 5 June, the two-hour time limit will be removed and restrictions will be eased on further indoor activities, including:
- Officiating, participating and supporting the playing of team sports such as football, basketball, soccer and netball
- TABs, and all licensed gaming venues.
- Any cinema or theatre, concert hall, music hall, dance hall, nightclub or any other similar entertainment venue in approved configuration.
- Previously restricted services at a place that provides beauty therapy, and/or cosmetic services including facial care.
- All businesses, facilities and services previously restricted can now resume ensuring adherence to key principles.
By 5 June all Territory businesses, services, facilities and organisations should have their own COVID-19 Safety Plan.
The decision to relax restrictions comes as the Northern Territory has not reported a new case of COVID-19 since April 6 and has the lowest number of cases out of any state or territory in Australia.
There have been 28 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Northern Territory since the outbreak began, with only three active cases remaining in the territory.
Updated at 3:21pm AEST on 30 April 2020.
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