As a general rule you should stay home unless it is absolutely necessary that you go out.

Work from home if you can.

Going out for the basics or exercise in small groups, such as with your partner or family, is fine.

If you do go out make sure you keep a 1.5 metre distance between yourself and others.

You shouldn't congregate in groups outdoors.

You should also limit the number of guests you have in your home.

Current restrictions

The following are closed:

• pubs, registered and licensed clubs including those with a gaming machine licence (excluding bottle shops attached to these venues)
• venues operated by the Returned and Services League of Australia Limited
• hotels (excluding accommodation)
• premises which conduct gambling/ wagering opportunities (including TAB venues)
• health clubs, fitness centres, yoga and Pilates centres and other wellness services (excluding remedial/ sports/ lymphatic massage)
• cinemas, entertainment venues, casinos and night clubs
• art galleries, museums, public memorials and historic sites
  public libraries (except where the public is restricted to returning and borrowing books reserved or requested in advance
• *restaurants and cafes for seated dining
• religious gatherings, places of worship or funerals (in enclosed spaces and other than very small groups and where the 1 person per 4 square metre rule applies).
• food courts in shopping centres (takeaway is still okay)
• beauticians, tanning, waxing, spas, tattoo parlours and massage parlours (excluding remedial and other allied health services)
• indoor markets (excluding food markets)
• amusement parks and arcades
• places used to conduct auctions
• play centres (indoor and outdoor)
• community and recreation centres
• arenas, stadiums, sporting facilities and places that provide physical training activities indoors
• strip clubs and brothels
• playgrounds, outdoor gyms and skate parks
• public swimming pools, water parks and recreational lakes.

*Cafes, restaurants, food courts and other similar food/drink service businesses may continue to operate as takeaway businesses. Patrons must not be permitted to consume purchased goods on the premises, except where those persons provide services for the transport or freight of goods and related logistics into, within or out of the Territory. Accommodation businesses may serve food/drinks for consumption by a guest in the guest's room. Physical distancing measures should be applied.

Real estate open house inspections for potential purchasers are no longer allowed.

Boot camps/ outdoor personal training/ sporting activities are limited to 2 people (except where the people usually live together in the same household).

Weddings and funerals

Weddings are limited to five people.

Funerals are limited to 10 people, excluding persons necessary for the conduct of the funeral, unless exempted from this ruling by the Chief Health Officer.

For consideration of an exemption relating to the limited numbers permitted at weddings and funerals email chiefhealthofficer.doh@nt.gov.au.

Parks and reserves

Campgrounds, swimming spots, multi-day walks and high-use day areas in Northern Territory (NT) parks and reserves are closed to restrict the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Parks that are located in designated biosecurity areas have also been closed to prevent unauthorised access.

Easing of restrictions will commence at 12 noon on Friday 1 May in some parks and reserves.

Places that are open

The following are open:

• shopping centres
• takeaway food businesses
• schools will remain open through to the end of the current school terms, and will re-open at the end of the school break, subject to the advice of the Australian Health Principal Protection Committee
• essential volunteer or public services provided at a venue otherwise closed
• hairdressers/barbers (there is no time restriction in place)
• essential services in the list below.

All operating businesses must have no more than one person per four square metres.

Services and facilities open

At this time the following activities may continue as they are considered essential:

• Airports – normal and necessary business.
• Public transport including ridesharing and associated facilities such as bus stops, taxi ranks and interchanges.
• Medical and health service facilities – normal and necessary business.
• Disability and aged care facilities – normal and necessary business. Other special measures and restrictions are in place to manage risk.
• Prisons, youth justice, correctional facilities and other custody facilities.
• Courts and tribunals. Jury trials are suspended. Find out more on the Supreme Court website.
• Parliament – for normal operations.
• Food markets, grocery stores, retail and shopping centres that is necessary for the normal business of those premises.
• Petrol stations, service stations and truck stops.
• Mining sites/camps, office buildings, factories and construction sites -  for normal operations.
• ** Schools, universities, educational institutions and childcare facilities - for normal business.
• Providers of accommodation to guests that may also serve food or beverages for consumption by a guest in the guest’s room.
• Darwin Port – with social distancing measures in place.

Anyone using these services or facilities should exercise physical distancing measures and follow all hygiene advice.

** School events where more than 500 people that include community members beyond staff and students, such as for assemblies and sporting events, are deemed non-essential and cannot proceed.

Why it's important

Practising good hygiene and keeping a healthy physical distance between individuals is our most powerful weapon in fighting this virus and saving lives. The failure of some businesses and members of the public to do this puts people’s lives at risk.

If we want to slow the spread, everyone must implement appropriate physical distancing in accordance with state and territory laws.

We will be living with this virus for at least six months, so physical distancing measures to slow this virus down must be sustainable for at least that long to protect Australian lives, allow Australia to keep functioning and keep Australians in jobs.

There are penalties of up to $62,800 for failure to comply with the directions. Read more about the Chief Health Officer Directions.