Victoria’s woes fail to change NT border plan

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner still plans to open the Territory’s borders on July 17, despite Victoria being forced to reimpose some COVID-19-related restrictions after the state suffered its worst day of new cases in more than two months.

It was the first state or territory in Australia to buck the trend of easing restrictions and came as the World Health Organisation warned the world is in a “new and dangerous place”.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews also couldn’t rule out lockdowns being imposed in virus hotspots as the state recorded a further 25 cases since Friday. It was the fourth day in a row where new infections have reached double-digits – there were 13 cases on Friday, 18 on Thursday and 21 on Wednesday.

From midnight tonight to July 12, household gatherings will be reduced to five people and outdoor gatherings to 10.

The plan for cafes, restaurants and pubs to allow 50 patrons at one time from 20 tomorrow will also be put on hold until July 12.

Mr Gunner said outbreaks like Victoria’s were the reason he had “rejected the reckless calls to open borders immediately”. “Based on the health advice, we are waiting two more replication cycles before easing the Territory’s tough border restrictions,” he said. “This locks in our progress as the safest place in Australia, and gives the rest of the country four more weeks to reduce transmission.”