The Northern Territory has announced an increased area for travel for fully vaccinated interstate arrivals. The announcement coincides with quarantine-free travel for vaccinated travellers, commencing from 20 December 2021.
The NT is reopening its borders for fully vaccinated travellers from Monday 20 December without the need to quarantine.
Travellers to the Territory are also now able to access iconic Australian locations like Uluru, Kakadu, Nitmiluk and Litchfield as well as the previously announced high vaccination zones of Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs.
To enter the NT you must:
- Complete a Border Entry Form before arriving in the NT
- Have a negative PCR test within the 72 hours before arriving in the NT and be able to show proof of the result on arrival
- Have a PCR test within 72 hours after arriving in the NT
- Have a PCR Day test on Day 6 after arriving in the NT
- You can travel anywhere in the Northern Territory except to an exclusion zone for the purpose of travel, within 14 days of your arrival to the NT.
Kakadu Tourism says it is laying down the welcome mat for interstate tourists.
From next week, fully vaccinated visitors to the NT will be able to arrive at Darwin Airport and after taking a PCR test drive straight to Kakadu without having to wait for the result.
Visitors will need to take a PCR test on the 6th day of their visit to the NT, with testing available at the Jabiru Community Health Centre.
The revised measures follow representations from the NT tourism industry, which warned that without the changes there would be a significant disincentive for interstate travellers to visit the Top End.
“It is a really good outcome for visitors, the community and operators,” said Kakadu Tourism Group General Manager, Chris Chaffe.
“We thank the Chief Minister’s office and the Tourism Minister for revising access measures as it would have totally disrupted tourism and local employment over the tropical summer.
“We are hoping that the news will revive interstate bookings as Kakadu in the tropical summer offers a remarkable holiday experience.
“All of our accommodation is open, barramundi with million-dollar prize tags are waiting to be caught, there are adventure tours available, spectacular waterfalls are flowing, and 65,000 years of Indigenous art, heritage and culture is ready to be discovered.
“Special summer packages are available over Christmas, and while snow is very unlikely, Santa will be visiting for Christmas lunch at both The Croc and Cooinda.”
Travel to low-vaccinated communities will be restricted to help protect vulnerable people in the Territory.
There will now be 66 ‘Exclusion Zones’ for remote communities that have a vaccination rate less than 80% for residents five years and over.
A full list of exclusion zones can be found online at Exclusion zones | Coronavirus (COVID-19) (nt.gov.au)
Click here for more information.