Remote communities in the Northern Territory have been closed to all non-essential travel in response to concerns about the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Only approved remote essential workers can now visit remote communities.

All essential work within designated areas must be conducted using the guidelines below.

Essential activities and eligibility

The Commonwealth determination under the Biosecurity Act 2015 identifies the following essential activities:

• health care
• education
• services relating to the prevention of, or recovery from, domestic violence
• services relating to child protection
• policing services
• emergency services
• essential services of a kind typically provided by local government
• services, benefits, programs or facilities that the Chief Executive Centrelink has the function of providing
• correctional services
• funerary services
• conducting, or taking part in, a sitting of a court or tribunal in the area.
  NT Courts and Tribunals have changed the way they operate. Please visit the NT Supreme Court for information on all courts across the Territory.
• operating, maintaining or repairing equipment for providing electricity, gas, water, telecommunications or broadcasting services, medical or other essential infrastructure
• delivering food, fuel, mail or medical supplies
• obtaining medical care or medical supplies
• continuing the construction in the area of housing or transport infrastructure that was in progress immediately before the commencement of the declaration
• carrying out mining operations, or operations ancillary to mining operations, in the area in a manner that minimises the extent to which other persons in the area are exposed to the persons carrying out those operations
• commercial primary production and operations ancillary to primary production, including aquaculture and agribusiness
• transporting freight to or from a place in the area
• Heavy vehicle drivers can continue to access roadhouses, dedicated truck stop facilities and truck driver lounges during coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions, with an exemption issued by the Commonwealth Government as long as physical distancing and hygiene requirements are complied with.

Please review your own eligibility against these categories and follow the relevant process and guidelines under the Approved Remote Essential Workers Program.

Zero contact deliveries

Deliveries by barge, air and road that can be undertaken in a ‘zero-contact’ method will not require workers to go through the Approved Remote Essential Worker process.

For example, a barge delivering goods to a community can unload goods to the barge landing and then return to the barge without having any contact with residents in the community. Appropriate hygiene practices need to be adhered to at all times. The same approach is acceptable for goods delivered by air, as long as there is no contact between the person delivering the goods and anyone within the community.

Apply for approved remote essential worker status

If you are required to deliver essential activities in Northern Territory designated areas, each employee in your organisation will need to apply for an Approved Remote Essential Worker ID card. To do this you must follow the process below.

1. Pre-prepare the following documents that are required for your application:
   • Each organisation that works in remote communities will need to have an organisation COVID-19 plan based on personal hygiene and physical distancing. If you are an interstate worker, your organisation's COVID-19 plan, if approved by the Chief Health Officer, should be included in your application.
   • The Northern Territory land councils require a declaration to be completed and included in your application if you are working in their region.
     • Northern Land Council (NLC) - get the travel declaration form on the NLC website
     • Anindilyakwa Land Council (ALC) - get the travel declaration form on the ALC website
     • Central Land Council DOCX (66.6 KB)
     • Tiwi Land Council PDF (255.9 KB)
2. Complete the approved remote essential worker application. Include a photo using provided guidelines and a copy of another photo ID for verification purposes.
   • approved remote essential worker application PDF (608.3 KB)
   • approved remote essential worker application DOCX (70.8 KB)
3. Send the form, your organisation’s COVID-19 plan and the land council declaration (if required) to remote.travel@nt.gov.au.

Northern Territory Government employees who are delivering essential activities will also need to apply for an Approved Remote Essential Worker card.

Government agencies that have a large number of employees who need to travel into designated areas are coordinating this process for their staff and it is recommended you contact your nominated agency contact for advice. You will still need to complete the AREW form if you meet the criteria as an Approved Remote Essential Worker.

Your application will be reviewed and approved in conjunction with the land council(s). If the remote travel team has any queries or requires additional information, they will contact you via the details provided in the application.

Once approved, you will receive a confirmation via return email with an interim electronic version of your ID card and details regarding receiving your ID card and other materials (including vehicle identification stickers if applicable) via post.

Workers in the Anindilyakwa and Tiwi regions

The Anindilyakwa Land Council (ALC) enforced a two-week cessation of travel to and from the Groote Archipelago between close of business 31 March 2020 and 6am 14 April 2020.

From 14 April 2020, the ALC has indicated that anyone wishing to come to the Groote Archipelago (including essential workers) should apply for a Groote Archipelago and Community Access Permit if they are able to meet the requirements. Anyone who has received a Groote Archipelago and Community Access Permit (including residential workers) does not need to apply under the Approved Remote Essential Worker Program.

Essential workers seeking an exemption from the two-week quarantine requirement will not be eligible for a Groote Archipelago and Community Access Permit and are required to complete an application under the Approved Remote Essential Worker Program.

You can find out more on the ALC website or by emailing alcpermits@alcnt.com.au.

The Tiwi Land Council has declared the closure of all land and seas within the Tiwi Aboriginal Land Trust in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) threat until further notice. Exemptions to deliver emergency and essential services will be managed through the Tiwi Land Council on 08 8997 0797 or office@tiwilandcouncil.com.

Biosecurity checkpoints - pastoral lease residents and workers

Pastoral estates are not designated areas. It is common however for residents of pastoral estates, and the essential workers operating there, to have to pass through designated areas in order to gain access to pastoral leases. Where that occurs the pastoral lease residents and workers do not have to complete the designated area compliance form PDF (418.2 KB) at biosecurity check points.

Residents and workers on pastoral leases must however provide the *appropriate documentation to identify and prove that they are a resident or worker of the pastoral lease, combined with a form of personal identification such as a driver’s licence.

If you are travelling to a pastoral estate through a designated area, you must adhere to strict social distancing practices; do not stop on your journey unless absolutely necessary; and do not change your form of transport or make any changes to your travelling party.

If you plan to stop for any reason in the designated area you will need to complete the designated area compliance form for assessments at the check point, as would any other essential traveller.

• For example, a letter from the station manager or owner which identifies you are living or working on the pastoral estate; or other proof of residence (eg, driver’s licence)

More information

To find out more call 1800 518 189 or email remote.travel@nt.gov.au.