Australia’s second coronavirus free state: Northern Territory completely eradicates active cases of COVID-19
- The Northern Territory has no active cases of COVID-19 as of this morning
- NT joined the Australian Capital Territory as Australia’s coronavirus-free areas
- An Australian Defence Force member was cleared of the final case overnight
- South Australia has no active cases but is yet to declare itself completely free
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
Australia’s Northern Territory has become the second state to eradicate COVID-19, joining the ACT.
Northern Territory Health Minister, Natasha Fyles, confirmed this morning that the territory did not have any active cases.
She told reporters: ‘It’s been six-and-a-half weeks since we have had a locally diagnosed case but we mustn’t become complacent.’
The Northern Territory has eradicated COVID-19 and joined the Australian Capital Territory as the nation’s coronavirus-free regions. Pictured: A couple drinking in Darwin on Friday
‘The Northern Territory, through the tough measures we put in place early, we are a safe bubble and we need to keep it that way,’ she said.
The territory was declared free of the coronavirus after an Australian Defence Force member who was the only remaining patient was cleared overnight.
This person had contracted COVID-19 while on overseas deployment.
All 30 of the COVID-19 cases diagnosed in the Northern Territory were connected to interstate or overseas travel.
The Northern Territory also recorded no coronavirus-related deaths throughout the pandemic.
Ms Fyles noted: ‘We have a very vulnerable population, particularly with our Aboriginal Territorians and so I urge all Territorians to not become complacent off the back of this, to keep vigilant.’
She encouraged Territorians to be mindful of ‘physical distancing, personal hygiene and if you are not feeling well, stay home.’
NT was declared coronavirus-free this morning as Health Minister Natasha Fyles (pictured) announced the one remaining COVID-19 patient had been cleared overnight
The Northern Territory has lifted a variety of restrictions allowing people to return to gyms (pictured), pubs, swimming pools and beauty salons
The Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory have been declared completely coronavirus free, while South Australia has recorded no new cases of COVID-19 since May 7.
SA Chief Public Health Officer, Nicola Spurrier, said: ‘We join a couple of the other states and jurisdictions to have no active cases.’
She told reporters on Friday she was hesitant to use the term ‘coronavirus-free’.
‘I really don’t think we should be using that term. We have no active cases in the state that we know about but that’s not the same as being coronavirus-free,’ Dr Spurrier said.
Coronavirus restrictions on parks, golfing, fishing and swimming have eased in the Northern Territory.
Restaurants and bars have also been reopened with a two-hour limit and students are back in school fulltime.
Restricted access to indigenous communities remains in place until at least June 18.
The ACT has also eased restrictions on sport and recreation and currently allows outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people.
South Australia has resumed elective surgeries and allowed regional accommodation to reopen.
Dining at restaurants is allowed with a 10-person limit and stage two easing of restrictions will begin on June 5.
Pictured: A restaurant in Darwin was sanitised before opening last Friday