Australia: Northern Territory officials requiring quarantine from designated hotspots in Greater Melbourne as of Feb. 11 /update 14

Event

Northern Territory continues to require quarantine for travelers from parts of Greater Melbourne as of Feb. 11, though officials have adjusted the state's coronavirus disease (COVID-19) hotspot list. Authorities are designating Maidstone, Sunbury, Sunshine, Taylors Lake, and the Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport as hotspots. Travelers with a 14-day travel history must quarantine at designated sites for two weeks upon arrival. Arrivals that visited the Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport 0001 Feb. 5-1600 Feb. 10 or Sunbury 0001 Feb. 5-0900 Feb. 10 must take a COVID-19 test and self-quarantine until receiving a negative result.

Officials have ended quarantine requirements for visitors to Brandon Park, Brighton, Clayton South, Heatherton, Keysborough, Melbourne, Moorabbin, Noble Park, Springvale, and West Melbourne in Greater Melbourne.

Local Restrictions
Most businesses and public venues can operate in the Northern Territory with protocols such as collecting patrons' information for contact-tracing purposes. Public events of all sizes are allowed; however, organizers of events with more than 100 participants must submit a COVID-19 safety checklist to officials. Authorities require organizers to complete a COVID-19 Event Safety Plan and receive approval from health staff for gatherings of more than 500 people. The government requires individuals at large public gatherings to maintain physical distance of 1.5 meters (5 feet) from others and limit interactions with strangers to a maximum of 15 minutes.

Domestic Border Controls
Northern Territory authorities allow travel from other Australian states. Authorities continue to require all inbound travelers to complete a border entry form and provide a printed copy upon arrival. Travelers from designated hotspots must quarantine at government-designated facilities for 14 days. Officials discourage travel to and from high-risk areas.

Quarantine Requirements
Most travelers entering Australia must quarantine in government-designated facilities for 14 days in the city of arrival. New Zealand residents can enter the Northern Territory without quarantine. Northern Territory charges most international arrivals and visitors from domestic COVID-19 hotspots for quarantine, payable after the quarantine period. Quarantine fees are AUD 2,500 (USD 1,933) for the first adult and AUD 5,000 (USD 3,867) for families of two or more people. The Northern Territory requires COVID-19 testing before release; people refusing testing must quarantine an additional 10 days and pay additional fees.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by government health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.

Resources

Northern Territory COVID-19 Information
Northern Territory Declared Hotspots