NT revokes Greater Metropolitan Sydney as hotspot

Most NSW residents looking to travel to Northern Territory are now able to do so, but it depends on where in the state you come from.

As of 11am on Tuesday, the Territory revoked its hotspot status for Greater Metropolitan Sydney as a whole.

But under the changes, Sydney’s western suburbs are still considered hotspots and anyone from the following Local Government Areas are still required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival:

Travellers coming from other parts of Greater Metro Sydney are no longer required to isolate.

Greater Metropolitan Sydney’s hotspot status has been revoked in the NT. Picture: Che ChorleySource:News Corp Australia

The changes allow those in mandatory quarantine from the areas in Greater Metropolitan Sydney that have been revoked to leave.

NSW public health response to contact trace and contain the outbreak has been “extensive”, according to the NT Government.

In a statement, it said the active and positive COVID-19 cases in the state were confined to Sydney’s Western Suburbs.

“Revoking Greater Metropolitan Sydney as a hotspot and creating a ring of safety around the Local Government Areas of geographical risk is a proportionate and considered response,” the NT Government said.

As the number of declared hotspot areas in NSW has been reduced, some travellers put in mandatory isolation will leave today.\ Picture: Che ChorleySource:News Corp Australia

Chief health officer Dr Hugh Heggie will continue to monitor the situation and said he was prepared to declare future hotspots at any time if necessary.

He said he was “confident” in the decision to establish hotspots across Sydney's west instead of the greater metro area.

“This is a localised and specific approach that has been reviewed and considered and provides a proportionate response,” Dr Heggie said.

“When making these decisions I work closely with the other Chief Health Officers from across Australia and consider the specific granular information about each outbreak including community demographics and behaviours, the extent of community spread, the controls and public health measures in place and the risk to the NT community.”

Chief health officer Hugh Heggie said he will continue to monitor the situation in NSW. Picture: Che ChorleySource:News Corp Australia

Anyone travelling to the Territory is required to complete an online border entry form upon arrival.

For more information about hotspots and the latest information about travelling to the NT, visit the website.

NSW recorded five new locally acquired cases on Tuesday; of which one is linked to the Berala cluster and two are from the northern beaches.

Health authorities are working to determine the source of infection for the remaining two cases.

There were also 11 new cases reported in hotel quarantine facilities.

A number of venues have been added to NSW’s list of locations visited by a confirmed case, including a Coles, Woolworths and Aldi supermarket.

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