Construction stops as lockdown continues

My message to the Northern Territory property sector is stay strong.

The decision by the Government to lockdown hard and fast buys the Territory time to get to the source of the virus and isolate it.

We have seen in other states the consequences of allowing case numbers to get out of control – indefinite lockdowns with devastating economic consequences.

Construction is a vital element of our economy and critical for jobs and economic recovery.

I am liaising with the Government to understand how to best manage the risks if the lockdown extends beyond the target 72-hour period.

The Property Council has your back.

*************************************************************************

The Northern Territory entered its first full day of lockdown overnight after Chief Minister Michael Gunner yesterday announced a snap lockdown until midday Thursday for the Darwin, Palmerston, Darwin Rural and Katherine municipality.

Today no new cases have been detected with 1,846 tests conducted.

?While encouraging it is important to remain vigilant as the results of further testing comes in and wastewater testing is completed. The Chief Minister emphasised the importance of using QR codes to check in to assist with fast contact tracing.

The decision to lockdown came with an international worker who entered the NT on August 12 via Sydney and Canberra airport testing positive. The man has been isolating in Howard Springs quarantine facility, but authorities are still determining the source of the infection and strain. The case has been confirmed today after the man returned an infectious positive test.

For our members, the lockdown has some major implications. The Property Council is here to support you through this and provide you with up-to-date information.

Construction halt

The Department of Infrastructure Planning and Logistics (DIPL) announced that:

• Construction workers are not considered essential during this 72-hour lockdown
• As such, all DIPL construction projects currently underway in the Darwin, Palmerston, Darwin Rural and Katherine municipality must cease for the duration of the lockdown period. Where required undertake appropriate actions to ensure your worksites are safe.
• DIPL projects currently underway outside of these prescribed areas may proceed with the following caveat:
• All employees working on the project currently located, outside of the Darwin, Palmerston, Darwin Rural and Katherine municipality
• Critical works will be managed case-by-case, in line with Chief Health Officer directions, and you will be contacted directly by a DIPL representative

Unless considered essential, movement is not permitted from inside to outside of the lockdown areas. This includes to complete work outside of the lockdown areas.

?Business Lockdown Payment Program

To support local businesses The Territory Government has released a new round of funding to affected by the Top End’s latest COVID-19 lockdown, with immediate payments now available.

The Territory Business Lockdown Payment is a one-off payment of $1000, designed to support small businesses with a turnover of less than $10m and less than 20 full-time staff that have either ceased trading or suffered a revenue loss of 50% or greater during the lockdown.

?You can find information on that here .

?Five permitted reasons to leave home

The same five permitted to leave home are in place as per the last lockdown. If you do need to leave home, please wear a mask.

• Medical grounds – including testing and vaccination
• Essential goods and services shopping – click and collect systems will advised to limit movement
• Essential work
• 1 hour exercise a day within a 5km radius of your home with one other member of your household
• To provide care and shared parenting arrangements

?Resources

A list of useful resources for you and your stakeholders.??

• Industry inquiries Northern Territory lockdown line: 1800 193 111
• Chief Health Officer Directions
• Exposure sites
• Business Lockdown Payment Program
• NT Government COVID-19 website - please regularly monitor for exposure sites
• NT COVID-19 hotline 1800 490 484 – for health inquiries
• Book a vaccination
• For more information on the lockdown: https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/

?The Health Directions are designed to keep you safe:?

• Get tested if you have symptoms
• Use QR codes
• Comply with the mask requirements
• Use hand sanitiser
• Practice social distancing
• Get vaccinated?