From 12.01am tomorrow, Friday 14 October 2022, it will no longer be mandatory for people who test positive for COVID-19 in the Northern Territory to self-isolate.

It remains important for all people stay home when unwell to limit the spread of infection and protect the community. This applies not just to COVID-19 but all illnesses. 

The NT will enter a four week transition period for some COVID-19 public health measures to enable health services and high-risk settings to develop appropriate policies to ensure the safety of vulnerable people.

Until Friday 11 November, 2022 the following Chief Health Officer (CHO) Directions will remain in place:

·       People in the NT who test positive to a Rapid Antigen Test to declare their result using the online declaration form. 

·       Face masks must be worn in high-risk settings including: hospitals and health care facilities, aged care facilities, disability residential facilities, correctional facilities and family violence, sobering up and homeless shelters.

Changes to public health measures are a timely reminder for Territorians to stay up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccinations to make sure they have the best protection.

It has now been three months since the most recent peak in COVID-19 cases in the NT, which means many people will now be eligible for a booster or fourth dose.

A fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is available for all Territorians aged 30 years and over at participating GP clinics, pharmacies, respiratory clinics, urban and remote health clinics and Aboriginal health clinics.

Some people who test positive for COVID-19 are more at risk of becoming seriously ill. Anti-viral treatments are available for those at moderate to high risk, but timing is critical. Treatments are most effective when taken within five days of symptoms first starting. Territorians should talk to their GP or other hospital specialist to discuss care options and work out which risk group they are in. 

To help stop the spread of COVID-19, all Territorians should continue to:

·       Stay home if unwell, even if your symptoms are mild

·       Practise personal hygiene including hand washing or using hand sanitiser

·       Maintain a distance of 1.5 metres away from others where possible

·       Wear a mask indoors and outdoors when social distancing is not possible 

·       Stay up to date with your vaccinations

·       Avoid visiting people at high risk of severe illness, people in hospital, aged care or disability facility when unwell.

For COVID-19 information and updates visit health.nt.gov.au/covid-19.

Quotes attributed to Dr Jacqueline Murdoch, Acting Chief Health Officer, NT Health:

“As COVID-19 isolation ends, it remains important all Territorians stay home if feeling sick or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, so you don’t pass any illness onto others.

“If you test positive for COVID-19 you may be infectious for up to 10 days, but you’re most infections two days before symptoms start and while you have symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever.

“We’ve learned throughout the pandemic that simple measures including staying home and wearing masks can help us protect one another from COVID-19. I encourage everyone to continue practising those COVID-safe behaviours that we know work to limit the spread of infection. ” 

Source: NT Government Newsroom