Strict border controls apply in the Northern Territory (NT) for all access points by:

• road
• rail
• air
• sea.

What the restrictions mean

Non-essential travellers arriving at a Northern Territory border must complete 14 days of forced quarantine.

Upon entry, you will be escorted to a designated location where you will be monitored and accommodated for the duration.

If you arrive before 11:59pm Friday 3 April, accommodation expenses will be covered by government.

If you arrive after 11:59pm Friday 3 April, accommodation expenses will be covered by you.

You must be able to prove your status as an essential traveller before you will be granted an exemption from self-quarantine. Read more about the exemption categories.

How restrictions will be enforced

We are all working together to help stop the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Territory.

NT and Australian Federal Police are manning border controls.

Every person who is required to be in quarantine, will be checked on.

NT police and public and environmental health officers will undertake quarantine compliance checks to ensure people are doing the right thing. Fines will apply if you are not.

What will happen when you arrive

Anyone seeking to enter the NT must fill in a border arrival form  PDF (459.6 KB) to declare:

• where you have travelled in the last 30 days
• your personal and contact details
• information about where you intend to stay whilst in the Territory.

You can't self-quarantine anywhere other than the government designated location.

Get the border arrival form PDF (459.6 KB).

This form will also be available at border access points.

There are special requirements you should follow if you will be entering the Territory by sea.

If you are travelling with a pet, arrangements must be made to accommodate your pet prior to arriving in the NT and entering your designated quarantine accommodation. Arrangements are at your own expense. It is the owners responsibility to ensure all vaccinations are current.

Who is exempt

Some people are exempt from forced quarantine including:

• national and Northern Territory security and governance
• health and emergency services
• transport, freight and logistics
• defence and policing
• flight crews and freight – with strict guidelines in place to monitor and manage this
• people with specialist skills that are critical to maintaining key government services, industries or businesses.

Read more about the exemption categories.

Apply for an exemption

An exemption may be granted on compassionate, hardship or medical grounds.

Find out how to apply for an exemption.

Moving through the Territory

Caravan and motor-home holidaymakers are strongly urged to cancel their holiday plans to the Northern Territory.

If you are intending to move through the Territory to go to another state or territory, you must:

• not travel through remote communities
• only stop in townships and take the main roads
• not nominate parks and reserves as an overnight stop
• provide your travel plan PDF (139.6 KB) to a police officer at the place of entry, which includes details on:
  • intended route of travel
  • confirms that the traveller has sufficient food and water to last the duration of their travel through the Territory
  • identifies fuel stops
  • take the most direct route practicable
  • not deviate from the route outlined in your travel plan, except in an emergency
  • only stop for fuel
  • only stop for a rest break from driving
  • only stop for overnight accommodation if
    • the person(s) remain quarantined in the accommodation from the time the person checks in to the accommodation to the time the person(s) depart the accommodation and
  • practice physical distancing measures while in the Territory
  • remain in the Territory for no more than 48 hours.

  Roads

  The Territory’s main roads remain open, including the Stuart, Arnhem, Barkly and Victoria highways.

  However, you are strongly urged to restrict all travel and cancel any non-essential travel.

  If you become unwell

  If you develop symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) you should call ahead to a local doctor or emergency department and let them know you have recently travelled to the Territory from interstate.

  Find out more about what you should do if you feel unwell.

  Dining

  Under new restrictions, hotels and roadhouses do not have dining facilities available.

  As part of your forced quarantine measures, you will need to arrange for meals to be delivered to your room if required.

  Fuel stops

  When stopping for fuel, you are reminded to exercise good hygiene practices and physical  distancing measures:

  • cover your sneezes and coughs with your elbow or use a tissue (not your hand)
  • remain a minimum of 1.5 metres from others at all times and don’t make physical contact with anyone
  • remember to sanitise or wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap - instructions for correct handwashing techniques are now available in all roadhouses and fuel stops throughout the Northern Territory
  • cashless transactions are the preferred option at this time, so make sure you have your card with you.

  Travelling to a remote community

  Special rules and restrictions may apply if it is your intention to cross the border into the Northern Territory and then travel to a remote community.

  If this applies to you please familiarise yourself with information specific to remote community travel.

  Rules for freight coming into the Northern Territory

  Freight will continue to come in and out of the Territory. The new quarantine orders will not impact the delivery of essential goods and services.

  Food and freight including petrol will continue. Supermarkets and stores will remain supplied.

  Rules for fly-in fly-out (FIFO) workers

  If you are a Territory resident FIFO worker and believe you fall into one of the essential traveller categories, you can apply for exemption.