1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:01,920 Speaker 1: As I said, at the end of last week, around 2 00:00:01,960 --> 00:00:05,480 Speaker 1: thirteen thousand people were forced into self isolation as a 3 00:00:05,519 --> 00:00:09,440 Speaker 1: result of that situation. In Victoria, we heard from locals 4 00:00:09,520 --> 00:00:12,320 Speaker 1: and visitors who could not book in for COVID testing. 5 00:00:13,119 --> 00:00:15,640 Speaker 1: On Friday, though, the government announced that they'd be standing 6 00:00:15,720 --> 00:00:18,200 Speaker 1: up and drive through COVID nineteen testing site at the 7 00:00:18,200 --> 00:00:22,680 Speaker 1: Netball Stadium Imara to accommodate with the increased demand. Now 8 00:00:22,800 --> 00:00:26,080 Speaker 1: joining me in the studio is the Health Minister Natasha Files. 9 00:00:26,079 --> 00:00:28,200 Speaker 2: Good morning to you, morning Wolfy, morning listeners. 10 00:00:28,240 --> 00:00:30,880 Speaker 1: Now, Minister, why was that decision made to stand up 11 00:00:30,880 --> 00:00:32,760 Speaker 1: the drive through testing site on Friday? 12 00:00:32,960 --> 00:00:35,400 Speaker 3: So, Katie, we saw an enormous influx in the number 13 00:00:35,440 --> 00:00:37,440 Speaker 3: of people needing to get tested. That was pretty evident 14 00:00:37,760 --> 00:00:41,280 Speaker 3: late last week and your callers were reflection across the community. 15 00:00:41,720 --> 00:00:45,199 Speaker 3: So Health stood up very rapidly that center at Morra. 16 00:00:45,440 --> 00:00:49,520 Speaker 3: They also provided additional testing capacity in other territory locations 17 00:00:50,080 --> 00:00:52,720 Speaker 3: that facility was stood up. There's an underground car park 18 00:00:52,760 --> 00:00:54,480 Speaker 3: at the Netball Center, so we were able to have 19 00:00:54,600 --> 00:00:57,680 Speaker 3: upstairs where they could when they could put their ppe 20 00:00:57,720 --> 00:01:00,880 Speaker 3: on it's called doffing and they could have a space 21 00:01:00,920 --> 00:01:03,520 Speaker 3: to go downstairs undercover and deliver those tests. They were 22 00:01:03,520 --> 00:01:05,959 Speaker 3: operating a number of lanes and. 23 00:01:05,880 --> 00:01:07,120 Speaker 2: So we stood that up. 24 00:01:07,160 --> 00:01:10,040 Speaker 3: We had around thirteen thousand people Katie that have ticked 25 00:01:10,319 --> 00:01:12,759 Speaker 3: the form that they've been in Victoria in the last 26 00:01:12,760 --> 00:01:15,640 Speaker 3: twenty eight days. So obviously the health directions only apply 27 00:01:15,720 --> 00:01:17,760 Speaker 3: to the last fourteen days, so that does rule out 28 00:01:17,800 --> 00:01:20,120 Speaker 3: a number of people. But we certainly had thousands of 29 00:01:20,120 --> 00:01:23,039 Speaker 3: text messages sent out last week letting people know that 30 00:01:23,080 --> 00:01:26,560 Speaker 3: they'd been hotspots. Some people hadn't been in metropolitan Melbourne 31 00:01:26,600 --> 00:01:29,800 Speaker 3: or Bendigo, but we certainly saw a significant uptech in 32 00:01:29,880 --> 00:01:30,920 Speaker 3: those testing numbers. 33 00:01:31,000 --> 00:01:33,480 Speaker 2: So do you have a more accurate figure. 34 00:01:33,720 --> 00:01:36,240 Speaker 1: Is it still thirteen thousand people who are going to 35 00:01:36,240 --> 00:01:38,240 Speaker 1: have to stay in self isolation or do you have 36 00:01:38,360 --> 00:01:39,240 Speaker 1: more accurate figure? 37 00:01:39,520 --> 00:01:42,000 Speaker 3: No, so it's not thirteen thousand people. We don't have 38 00:01:42,040 --> 00:01:45,880 Speaker 3: an exact figure, but that thirteen thousand is twenty eight days, 39 00:01:45,920 --> 00:01:47,480 Speaker 3: so you could have that down to six and a 40 00:01:47,520 --> 00:01:50,640 Speaker 3: half thousand. We know that many people have perhaps come 41 00:01:50,680 --> 00:01:52,760 Speaker 3: to the territory and left. I know some family you 42 00:01:52,800 --> 00:01:55,120 Speaker 3: know of mine that were in that situation. Many people 43 00:01:55,160 --> 00:01:57,440 Speaker 3: came up for base in the grass for example. So 44 00:01:57,680 --> 00:01:59,840 Speaker 3: in terms of our testing numbers. I know your listeners 45 00:02:00,160 --> 00:02:01,760 Speaker 3: be keen to know, but we did over two and 46 00:02:01,760 --> 00:02:04,440 Speaker 3: a half thousand tests on Friday alone, and we were 47 00:02:04,480 --> 00:02:07,440 Speaker 3: able to get sixteen hundred results out to people on Saturday. 48 00:02:07,800 --> 00:02:11,800 Speaker 3: And between last Wednesday evening when we declared that the 49 00:02:11,840 --> 00:02:16,560 Speaker 3: hotspot area of Greater Metropolitan Melbourne and Bendigo through to Saturday, 50 00:02:16,639 --> 00:02:18,639 Speaker 3: we did four and a half thousand tests and all 51 00:02:18,639 --> 00:02:21,320 Speaker 3: of those came back negative. So we stood that facility 52 00:02:21,400 --> 00:02:24,560 Speaker 3: up on Saturday. Our teams worked very hard on Friday, 53 00:02:24,639 --> 00:02:27,639 Speaker 3: appreciate the local media. They got behind the facility and 54 00:02:27,680 --> 00:02:30,359 Speaker 3: were able to really articulate to people to go online 55 00:02:30,360 --> 00:02:31,120 Speaker 3: and book that test. 56 00:02:31,280 --> 00:02:33,960 Speaker 1: So just to really break these numbers down, you said 57 00:02:33,960 --> 00:02:36,960 Speaker 1: that it wouldn't be thirteen thousand people, it's looking more 58 00:02:37,000 --> 00:02:39,000 Speaker 1: like it would be six and a half thousand people 59 00:02:39,000 --> 00:02:40,400 Speaker 1: who'd be in self isolation. 60 00:02:40,840 --> 00:02:43,239 Speaker 3: So Katie, you can't even use that figure because they're 61 00:02:43,240 --> 00:02:45,919 Speaker 3: people that indicated they've been in Victoria in the last 62 00:02:45,960 --> 00:02:50,160 Speaker 3: twenty eight days and so. And also they might not 63 00:02:50,240 --> 00:02:53,520 Speaker 3: have been in that Greater Metropolitan Melbourne and Bendigo. They 64 00:02:53,560 --> 00:02:55,880 Speaker 3: may have left the territory. There's a number of factors 65 00:02:55,880 --> 00:02:57,160 Speaker 3: that would take people off that. 66 00:02:57,400 --> 00:02:59,400 Speaker 2: So at this stage we don't really know how many 67 00:02:59,440 --> 00:03:02,519 Speaker 2: are in self isolation. So Katie, we sent out text 68 00:03:02,560 --> 00:03:03,480 Speaker 2: messages to people. 69 00:03:03,480 --> 00:03:05,960 Speaker 3: We've seen over four and a half thousand tests in 70 00:03:06,000 --> 00:03:09,120 Speaker 3: those couple of days alone, and so we certainly believe 71 00:03:09,160 --> 00:03:12,639 Speaker 3: the significant number have been tested and done the right thing. 72 00:03:12,919 --> 00:03:16,079 Speaker 3: Environmental Health have been doing spot checks and they've already 73 00:03:16,080 --> 00:03:17,920 Speaker 3: caught someone out that wasn't where they should have been. 74 00:03:18,000 --> 00:03:20,040 Speaker 1: Yeah, well, taking that into account, I mean you must 75 00:03:20,120 --> 00:03:22,200 Speaker 1: have a fair idea though, how many people are in 76 00:03:22,280 --> 00:03:25,639 Speaker 1: self isolation, given the fact that other police and authorities 77 00:03:25,680 --> 00:03:27,760 Speaker 1: are going to need to go and do those spot checks. 78 00:03:27,840 --> 00:03:30,160 Speaker 3: So, Katie, I don't have those specific figures, but what 79 00:03:30,200 --> 00:03:32,400 Speaker 3: we can say is, and the advice I've got from 80 00:03:32,720 --> 00:03:35,120 Speaker 3: Health is that they believe that the majority of people 81 00:03:35,120 --> 00:03:37,720 Speaker 3: who need to be tested have been and those remainder 82 00:03:37,760 --> 00:03:38,840 Speaker 3: are booked in for tests. 83 00:03:39,000 --> 00:03:40,640 Speaker 1: I'm just sort of trying to wrap my head around 84 00:03:40,640 --> 00:03:43,119 Speaker 1: how it's gone from thirteen thousand people all the way 85 00:03:43,160 --> 00:03:44,200 Speaker 1: down to four and a half. 86 00:03:44,640 --> 00:03:47,800 Speaker 3: So, Katie, the thirteen thousand figure is people that since 87 00:03:47,880 --> 00:03:50,280 Speaker 3: the twelfth of May have ticked the box. They were 88 00:03:50,320 --> 00:03:54,440 Speaker 3: in Victoria since the twelfth of May in the last 89 00:03:54,440 --> 00:03:55,240 Speaker 3: twenty eight days. 90 00:03:55,240 --> 00:03:57,360 Speaker 1: Some of them could have been in regional Victoria people 91 00:03:57,440 --> 00:03:59,960 Speaker 1: locations that are not hot spots. Absolutely, they could have 92 00:04:00,120 --> 00:04:03,520 Speaker 1: been in a number of places that aren't declared hotspots. 93 00:04:03,640 --> 00:04:05,960 Speaker 3: They could have come to the territory and returned home. 94 00:04:06,280 --> 00:04:08,240 Speaker 3: And I do point to that event of base in 95 00:04:08,280 --> 00:04:10,200 Speaker 3: the Grass. They could have come to the territory and 96 00:04:10,200 --> 00:04:11,360 Speaker 3: traveled on to other states. 97 00:04:11,440 --> 00:04:14,480 Speaker 1: So how long are you going to keep this testing 98 00:04:14,560 --> 00:04:17,320 Speaker 1: site at the Netball Stadium going for? And I understand 99 00:04:17,320 --> 00:04:20,279 Speaker 1: that there's also additional stuff at both the Darwin Hospital 100 00:04:20,320 --> 00:04:21,520 Speaker 1: and also the Olla Springs. 101 00:04:21,720 --> 00:04:24,400 Speaker 3: So the site at the Netball Center, we stood that 102 00:04:24,520 --> 00:04:27,560 Speaker 3: down late yesterday or yesterday around midday, and that was 103 00:04:27,880 --> 00:04:31,280 Speaker 3: advice from HPBC and our chief Health officer that Victoria. 104 00:04:31,680 --> 00:04:32,600 Speaker 2: We didn't need to. 105 00:04:32,520 --> 00:04:37,960 Speaker 3: Expand the hotspot declaration areas. We had a sufficient capacity 106 00:04:38,000 --> 00:04:40,680 Speaker 3: at those other locations, so we were able to stand 107 00:04:40,720 --> 00:04:42,960 Speaker 3: that facility down so we could stand it up again 108 00:04:43,000 --> 00:04:43,760 Speaker 3: if we needed to. 109 00:04:44,080 --> 00:04:46,400 Speaker 2: But it served its purpose and provided those additionals. 110 00:04:46,440 --> 00:04:48,120 Speaker 1: So you feel at this point in time that you 111 00:04:48,200 --> 00:04:50,719 Speaker 1: are on top of all of that testing now, correct? 112 00:04:50,920 --> 00:04:51,280 Speaker 2: Okay? 113 00:04:51,360 --> 00:04:53,359 Speaker 1: I do want to ask we know that the numbers 114 00:04:53,440 --> 00:04:57,039 Speaker 1: are the latest numbers in Victoria. Five new cases. At 115 00:04:57,040 --> 00:04:58,760 Speaker 1: this stage we're on sure if they're linked to the 116 00:04:58,800 --> 00:05:02,400 Speaker 1: existing outbreaks. We do know that now there are forty 117 00:05:02,440 --> 00:05:06,600 Speaker 1: six cases which are locally acquired coronavirus cases in Victoria. 118 00:05:06,960 --> 00:05:09,599 Speaker 2: What is the latest advice when it comes to Victoria. 119 00:05:09,839 --> 00:05:13,240 Speaker 3: So the Chief Health Officer participated in those HPPC meetings 120 00:05:13,279 --> 00:05:15,920 Speaker 3: which is those National Health meetings all weekend and provided 121 00:05:15,960 --> 00:05:18,719 Speaker 3: advice back to the Northern Territory government and to myself 122 00:05:18,720 --> 00:05:22,960 Speaker 3: as Health Minister. We will watch and wait Victoria. One 123 00:05:22,960 --> 00:05:25,520 Speaker 3: of the concerns Katie is the numbers are promising because 124 00:05:25,520 --> 00:05:29,000 Speaker 3: they're low, but the person or people were active in 125 00:05:29,040 --> 00:05:32,080 Speaker 3: the community as late as last weekend and early last 126 00:05:32,120 --> 00:05:36,479 Speaker 3: week they were transmitting the illness and so whether those 127 00:05:36,480 --> 00:05:40,000 Speaker 3: people that have picked it up, whether that's become apparent yet. 128 00:05:40,040 --> 00:05:41,960 Speaker 3: So that's why they're in that seven day lockdown. 129 00:05:42,040 --> 00:05:44,920 Speaker 1: But so the Melbourne exposure sites, as I understand it, 130 00:05:45,040 --> 00:05:47,400 Speaker 1: have been expanded. But for us in the territory now 131 00:05:47,440 --> 00:05:50,440 Speaker 1: does that no longer matter because really the whole state 132 00:05:50,480 --> 00:05:52,799 Speaker 1: has been declared or what's the situation with the state. 133 00:05:52,920 --> 00:05:55,320 Speaker 3: So I think the clear advice is anyone that's been 134 00:05:55,360 --> 00:05:58,279 Speaker 3: in Victoria needs to check the NTG Coronavirus website and 135 00:05:58,279 --> 00:06:02,279 Speaker 3: the Victorian Health website. They must isolate and get tested 136 00:06:02,279 --> 00:06:04,120 Speaker 3: if they've been in those hot spots. But there is 137 00:06:04,160 --> 00:06:07,040 Speaker 3: that additional overlay of those Tier one locations and that 138 00:06:07,640 --> 00:06:10,360 Speaker 3: has grown significantly, and so people should check because the 139 00:06:10,400 --> 00:06:12,120 Speaker 3: advice is different if they've been in one of those 140 00:06:12,120 --> 00:06:13,080 Speaker 3: Tier one locations. 141 00:06:13,120 --> 00:06:16,040 Speaker 1: It does seem like it's been pretty confusing this time 142 00:06:16,160 --> 00:06:18,640 Speaker 1: round with the you know, with people sort of wondering 143 00:06:18,680 --> 00:06:21,600 Speaker 1: whether they need to isolate, exactly what they need to do, 144 00:06:21,839 --> 00:06:23,960 Speaker 1: and then you go on to the website. No, look, 145 00:06:24,000 --> 00:06:26,120 Speaker 1: I understand that all the information's on there, but it's 146 00:06:26,160 --> 00:06:28,039 Speaker 1: pretty hard to wrap your head around. 147 00:06:28,000 --> 00:06:31,040 Speaker 3: So Katie, Originally, when these cases started to come out 148 00:06:31,080 --> 00:06:33,800 Speaker 3: of Victoria early last week, we very much followed what 149 00:06:33,920 --> 00:06:37,000 Speaker 3: Victoria had declared they're Tier one, two and three, trying 150 00:06:37,000 --> 00:06:39,719 Speaker 3: to avoid declaring that hot spot. When we got to 151 00:06:39,839 --> 00:06:43,400 Speaker 3: around seventy locations and they were quite a vast area 152 00:06:43,440 --> 00:06:46,760 Speaker 3: across Melbourne Metropolitan and into Bendigo, our chief Health officer 153 00:06:46,839 --> 00:06:49,680 Speaker 3: made that decision to call the geographical hot spot and 154 00:06:49,720 --> 00:06:52,400 Speaker 3: so that covers anyone that has been in that area 155 00:06:52,440 --> 00:06:55,200 Speaker 3: in that time period. I mean, but there's additional advice 156 00:06:55,279 --> 00:07:00,560 Speaker 3: because the virus is so contagious, there's and also the timing, 157 00:07:00,560 --> 00:07:04,120 Speaker 3: there's additional advice for people if they've been in those locations, 158 00:07:04,160 --> 00:07:06,280 Speaker 3: they have to keep in isolation even when they get 159 00:07:06,320 --> 00:07:08,280 Speaker 3: a negative test. So we've tried to be as practical 160 00:07:08,279 --> 00:07:10,400 Speaker 3: as possible. We don't want to keep everyone in isolation 161 00:07:10,480 --> 00:07:11,360 Speaker 3: for fourteen days. 162 00:07:11,480 --> 00:07:14,040 Speaker 1: Is the reality here though, that we simply do not 163 00:07:14,160 --> 00:07:17,120 Speaker 1: have the room to put everybody out of how it's breaks. 164 00:07:16,920 --> 00:07:19,640 Speaker 3: Those It wasn't based on those decisions. It's the Tier 165 00:07:19,680 --> 00:07:22,200 Speaker 3: one is based on the Victorian health advice, and that's 166 00:07:22,240 --> 00:07:24,960 Speaker 3: because they are concerned even if people return a negative 167 00:07:25,000 --> 00:07:27,920 Speaker 3: test early on, they could still in fact become infectious 168 00:07:28,000 --> 00:07:28,360 Speaker 3: later on. 169 00:07:28,480 --> 00:07:30,600 Speaker 1: I mean, there was that breach over the weekend. As 170 00:07:30,600 --> 00:07:33,720 Speaker 1: we've discussed, Are you worried that this self isolation isn't 171 00:07:33,720 --> 00:07:35,960 Speaker 1: the safest way to manage this situation? 172 00:07:36,200 --> 00:07:39,120 Speaker 3: The vast, vast majority of territorians and visitors do the 173 00:07:39,160 --> 00:07:41,200 Speaker 3: right thing, and we saw that with the enormous numbers 174 00:07:41,200 --> 00:07:44,280 Speaker 3: that wanted to get tested, Katie, and it's disappointing to 175 00:07:44,280 --> 00:07:46,440 Speaker 3: see someone has done the wrong thing and you will 176 00:07:46,440 --> 00:07:48,920 Speaker 3: get caught. If you believe someone you know is doing 177 00:07:49,000 --> 00:07:49,640 Speaker 3: the wrong thing. 178 00:07:49,720 --> 00:07:51,240 Speaker 2: Dub them in. It's not acceptable. 179 00:07:51,320 --> 00:07:54,480 Speaker 1: We've even got the Chief Health Officer, well, the Hugh 180 00:07:54,520 --> 00:07:57,760 Speaker 1: Hegy is actually in isolation now out at how It Springs, isn't. 181 00:07:57,560 --> 00:07:59,720 Speaker 3: He Yes, So there has been I'm happy to talk 182 00:07:59,720 --> 00:08:03,000 Speaker 3: about personally about an employee of Anti Health. He's put 183 00:08:03,000 --> 00:08:04,800 Speaker 3: out a public statement. He felt that he needed to 184 00:08:04,800 --> 00:08:07,240 Speaker 3: be upfront with people why he needed to extend his leave. 185 00:08:07,520 --> 00:08:09,600 Speaker 3: He'd been on some leave. Understand he'd been visiting the 186 00:08:09,600 --> 00:08:12,080 Speaker 3: grandkids in Victoria and got caught up. So he's at 187 00:08:12,080 --> 00:08:15,600 Speaker 3: Howard Springs and will remain there until the declarations are 188 00:08:15,600 --> 00:08:16,400 Speaker 3: potentially changed. 189 00:08:16,760 --> 00:08:20,640 Speaker 1: Minister is his most recent advice of declaring those tiered 190 00:08:20,680 --> 00:08:23,600 Speaker 1: hot spots and the different locations is it actually just 191 00:08:23,680 --> 00:08:25,360 Speaker 1: all a bit too confusing. 192 00:08:25,080 --> 00:08:28,400 Speaker 3: So, Katie, I've explained it was based on Victorian advice 193 00:08:28,440 --> 00:08:30,560 Speaker 3: and it still is based on Victorian advice and the 194 00:08:30,640 --> 00:08:33,160 Speaker 3: risk levels. We tried very hard not to call that 195 00:08:33,200 --> 00:08:36,600 Speaker 3: geographical hotspot of Melbourne. We know the inconvenience we've seen 196 00:08:36,640 --> 00:08:39,320 Speaker 3: it over the last few days. You know, families that 197 00:08:39,320 --> 00:08:42,040 Speaker 3: have planned catch ups, people that have planned holidays. I 198 00:08:42,080 --> 00:08:44,360 Speaker 3: know people who are now stuck in Victoria. But it's 199 00:08:44,400 --> 00:08:46,520 Speaker 3: a small price to pay to keep our community safe. 200 00:08:46,520 --> 00:08:48,920 Speaker 1: All right, minister, We've got a lot of messages coming through. 201 00:08:48,920 --> 00:08:50,760 Speaker 1: I've got one here. Can you tell me what the 202 00:08:50,800 --> 00:08:53,760 Speaker 1: situation is with the Melbourne Airport? Is it a hot 203 00:08:53,800 --> 00:08:55,520 Speaker 1: spot or can you pass through there? 204 00:08:55,800 --> 00:08:58,720 Speaker 3: So, Katie, you can transit through Melbourne Airport. So we 205 00:08:58,800 --> 00:09:02,520 Speaker 3: know that it's a hub for flight, particularly Canberra Hobart. 206 00:09:02,520 --> 00:09:05,199 Speaker 3: But even with the complicated flight schedule now sometimes people 207 00:09:05,240 --> 00:09:07,880 Speaker 3: go backwards to come up. So maybe from Adelaide you 208 00:09:07,960 --> 00:09:11,040 Speaker 3: can transit through. We did see earlier this year the 209 00:09:11,080 --> 00:09:14,400 Speaker 3: Melbourne Airport itself declared a hotspot, so there's always that chance. 210 00:09:14,440 --> 00:09:16,880 Speaker 3: But right now you can transit through the airport. 211 00:09:17,120 --> 00:09:17,520 Speaker 2: Okay. 212 00:09:17,559 --> 00:09:20,440 Speaker 1: Now, over the weekend, one new COVID nineteen case has 213 00:09:20,480 --> 00:09:23,040 Speaker 1: been recorded. A thirty three year old female who arrived 214 00:09:23,040 --> 00:09:25,920 Speaker 1: on one of those repatriation flights from New Delhi on 215 00:09:25,960 --> 00:09:29,080 Speaker 1: the twenty third of May test and positive for COVID nineteen. 216 00:09:29,440 --> 00:09:31,760 Speaker 1: As I understand that there is another flight which is 217 00:09:31,840 --> 00:09:35,680 Speaker 1: expected to arrive this morning, isn't there, correct, Katie? So 218 00:09:35,720 --> 00:09:38,080 Speaker 1: there seems to be a lot less in terms of 219 00:09:38,120 --> 00:09:40,880 Speaker 1: these cases, particularly when you look at that massive surge 220 00:09:40,880 --> 00:09:43,160 Speaker 1: that we had just a few weeks ago before those 221 00:09:43,200 --> 00:09:44,200 Speaker 1: flights were seized. 222 00:09:44,920 --> 00:09:46,880 Speaker 2: Why do you think that is so, Katie. 223 00:09:46,880 --> 00:09:49,320 Speaker 3: We worked with the Commonwealth and I'd like to acknowledge 224 00:09:49,360 --> 00:09:51,240 Speaker 3: DEFAT and the measures they put in place at the 225 00:09:51,240 --> 00:09:53,480 Speaker 3: point of departure. We had over fifty cases off that 226 00:09:54,040 --> 00:09:57,320 Speaker 3: flight from India before they were postponed, and just to 227 00:09:57,360 --> 00:09:59,520 Speaker 3: see this one case to date off that flight is 228 00:09:59,640 --> 00:10:02,000 Speaker 3: very rare, suing that those measures have made an impact. 229 00:10:02,240 --> 00:10:03,600 Speaker 2: So we'll continue to work. 230 00:10:03,440 --> 00:10:05,400 Speaker 3: With the Commonwealth government to make sure we try and 231 00:10:05,960 --> 00:10:08,360 Speaker 3: stop the cases from coming in, but try and get 232 00:10:08,360 --> 00:10:09,199 Speaker 3: these people home. 233 00:10:09,040 --> 00:10:09,360 Speaker 2: All right. 234 00:10:09,400 --> 00:10:12,760 Speaker 1: Another listener question asking if those passengers are now being 235 00:10:12,840 --> 00:10:16,880 Speaker 1: transferred through the international airport instead of the RUAAF base. 236 00:10:17,080 --> 00:10:19,439 Speaker 3: My understanding, Katie, is that they are still going through 237 00:10:19,600 --> 00:10:24,160 Speaker 3: the raft side of Darwin International Airport. There are plans 238 00:10:24,280 --> 00:10:26,559 Speaker 3: that at some point they will come across, but we 239 00:10:26,960 --> 00:10:29,079 Speaker 3: have not transferred that that yet. There needs to be 240 00:10:29,120 --> 00:10:33,440 Speaker 3: a number of changes made. Why so the raft side 241 00:10:33,960 --> 00:10:36,720 Speaker 3: has been suitable, but we believe that in terms of 242 00:10:36,920 --> 00:10:39,920 Speaker 3: having this as a longer term plan, there's changes that 243 00:10:39,960 --> 00:10:42,640 Speaker 3: we could make that would be even safer and utilizing 244 00:10:43,040 --> 00:10:46,960 Speaker 3: the international arrival's part. But keeping people separate is the 245 00:10:47,000 --> 00:10:50,320 Speaker 3: most the way that we should go. But those changes 246 00:10:50,320 --> 00:10:53,640 Speaker 3: haven't been made. There needs to be some rectifications made 247 00:10:53,679 --> 00:10:54,559 Speaker 3: before that would happen. 248 00:10:54,600 --> 00:10:56,920 Speaker 2: When are you expecting those changes? So we won't do 249 00:10:56,960 --> 00:10:58,920 Speaker 2: it until it's safe. It needs to be checked off. 250 00:10:58,960 --> 00:11:01,800 Speaker 3: We had the Chief News Alison McMillan up here last 251 00:11:01,800 --> 00:11:04,880 Speaker 3: week auditing our quarantine program once again, so it would 252 00:11:04,880 --> 00:11:08,920 Speaker 3: be fully audited and making sure that safety for territorians 253 00:11:09,080 --> 00:11:09,640 Speaker 3: comes first. 254 00:11:09,800 --> 00:11:10,320 Speaker 2: But hang on. 255 00:11:10,400 --> 00:11:14,360 Speaker 1: My understanding is that the RAF area where the flights 256 00:11:14,400 --> 00:11:17,280 Speaker 1: are currently or where those passengers are currently going through, 257 00:11:17,760 --> 00:11:21,880 Speaker 1: is entirely separate to the airport, Whereas if they are 258 00:11:21,880 --> 00:11:24,199 Speaker 1: coming through the international side of things, that would mean 259 00:11:24,200 --> 00:11:26,360 Speaker 1: that they're actually going through the same airport as the 260 00:11:26,400 --> 00:11:28,840 Speaker 1: rest of us. And in some cases we're talking about 261 00:11:28,840 --> 00:11:30,880 Speaker 1: people who are highly infectious, so. 262 00:11:30,760 --> 00:11:33,880 Speaker 3: We need to make sure that they come through entirely 263 00:11:33,920 --> 00:11:36,400 Speaker 3: separate through that side. So that is the work that 264 00:11:36,440 --> 00:11:37,319 Speaker 3: would be undertaken. 265 00:11:38,120 --> 00:11:39,320 Speaker 2: Do you feel comfortable with that? 266 00:11:39,640 --> 00:11:42,160 Speaker 3: So, Katie, this is based on evidence and this has 267 00:11:42,200 --> 00:11:44,600 Speaker 3: been looked at rigorously by a number of people and 268 00:11:44,640 --> 00:11:48,320 Speaker 3: people with that public health experience, and so I believe 269 00:11:48,640 --> 00:11:50,800 Speaker 3: we need to set up a structure for the longer term. 270 00:11:50,800 --> 00:11:52,840 Speaker 3: We're going to be doing these repatriations, and in fact 271 00:11:52,880 --> 00:11:55,320 Speaker 3: international travel will be like this for a long time 272 00:11:55,360 --> 00:11:58,200 Speaker 3: to come. So it is a big change, but we 273 00:11:58,240 --> 00:12:00,400 Speaker 3: will work through to make sure it's absolutely safe. 274 00:12:00,520 --> 00:12:02,280 Speaker 1: I reckon it's going to be one, which is quite 275 00:12:02,320 --> 00:12:05,840 Speaker 1: surprising to a lot of people listening this morning. What 276 00:12:06,040 --> 00:12:08,559 Speaker 1: I look, I guess you know, plenty of people will 277 00:12:08,559 --> 00:12:11,400 Speaker 1: be feeling very worried that this change could put Territorians 278 00:12:11,400 --> 00:12:12,200 Speaker 1: at a greater risk. 279 00:12:12,320 --> 00:12:14,240 Speaker 3: So we'll make sure that the Territorians are not at 280 00:12:14,280 --> 00:12:16,560 Speaker 3: any risk, Katie. And so when they go through on 281 00:12:16,600 --> 00:12:19,920 Speaker 3: the raft side, we have improved our structures dramatically since 282 00:12:19,960 --> 00:12:22,240 Speaker 3: we first had those flights, going back a year ago. 283 00:12:22,760 --> 00:12:25,320 Speaker 3: We continually change and evolved with the virus. And so 284 00:12:25,720 --> 00:12:28,800 Speaker 3: they believe the structure, if we have rectifications to the 285 00:12:30,400 --> 00:12:33,200 Speaker 3: Dalen passenger terminal, that this would be the best way 286 00:12:33,240 --> 00:12:34,520 Speaker 3: to carefully manage these people. 287 00:12:34,679 --> 00:12:37,319 Speaker 1: Is this a situation where the federal government don't want 288 00:12:37,360 --> 00:12:41,160 Speaker 1: to be dealing with these flights down the track? Sorry, 289 00:12:41,240 --> 00:12:43,280 Speaker 1: like as in going through you know, through the raft 290 00:12:43,360 --> 00:12:45,920 Speaker 1: site or what's this is changing. 291 00:12:46,080 --> 00:12:48,040 Speaker 3: It's the same as coming together as one model at 292 00:12:48,040 --> 00:12:50,360 Speaker 3: Howard's Brings. It's identifying that we're going to have this 293 00:12:50,400 --> 00:12:52,520 Speaker 3: program in place for many many months. It needs to 294 00:12:52,559 --> 00:12:55,120 Speaker 3: be sustainable and the advice is that if we make 295 00:12:55,200 --> 00:12:59,000 Speaker 3: changes to the passenger terminal to keep completely separate, have 296 00:12:59,120 --> 00:13:01,400 Speaker 3: separate airflow. There's a number of things that have to 297 00:13:01,400 --> 00:13:03,320 Speaker 3: be dealt with that would be the best way to 298 00:13:03,400 --> 00:13:06,760 Speaker 3: welcome arrivals into Australia. What happens in other states, So 299 00:13:06,880 --> 00:13:09,240 Speaker 3: I'm not sure of the specifics at other airports, Katie, 300 00:13:09,400 --> 00:13:12,959 Speaker 3: what happens in terms of the hotel quarantining for international 301 00:13:13,160 --> 00:13:15,520 Speaker 3: I've seen the vision through the media where people seem 302 00:13:15,520 --> 00:13:17,240 Speaker 3: to get off at Sydney Airport and go outside and 303 00:13:17,240 --> 00:13:19,960 Speaker 3: get on those buses under guard. But we know that 304 00:13:20,480 --> 00:13:22,880 Speaker 3: for us, it's the safest program that we offer and 305 00:13:22,920 --> 00:13:24,760 Speaker 3: we want to keep that high standard. So that's why 306 00:13:24,760 --> 00:13:26,680 Speaker 3: there hasn't been any changes to date. All of this 307 00:13:26,720 --> 00:13:27,760 Speaker 3: has been worked and. 308 00:13:27,720 --> 00:13:30,040 Speaker 1: I guess that's why people will be quite surprised hearing this. 309 00:13:31,040 --> 00:13:34,000 Speaker 1: I mean, would it be safer to have some I 310 00:13:34,040 --> 00:13:36,840 Speaker 1: don't know, it's some structures set up outside or something instead, 311 00:13:36,880 --> 00:13:39,960 Speaker 1: so that there's not people actually going through the terminal. 312 00:13:40,160 --> 00:13:42,200 Speaker 3: So Katie, they're not going to just be coming through 313 00:13:42,200 --> 00:13:44,560 Speaker 3: the terminal potentially interacting with me or you who might 314 00:13:44,600 --> 00:13:46,840 Speaker 3: be getting off a domestic or intra territory flight. This 315 00:13:46,960 --> 00:13:50,840 Speaker 3: will be a completely separate process with significant changes to 316 00:13:50,840 --> 00:13:52,760 Speaker 3: make sure that that separation is maintained. 317 00:13:52,840 --> 00:13:55,360 Speaker 1: Minister, can I ask how many people are out at 318 00:13:55,360 --> 00:13:57,360 Speaker 1: Howard Springs now, Katie. 319 00:13:57,360 --> 00:14:00,560 Speaker 3: I believe that there was a couple of hundred people 320 00:14:00,600 --> 00:14:04,000 Speaker 3: that arrived over the weekend from the Victorian hotspots. The 321 00:14:04,120 --> 00:14:07,760 Speaker 3: numbers we had was around eleven hundred on Friday, and 322 00:14:07,800 --> 00:14:12,040 Speaker 3: that was made up of two hundred domestic Victorian hotspot quarantines. 323 00:14:12,559 --> 00:14:16,760 Speaker 3: There was two hundred international but not the vulnerable Australian flights. 324 00:14:17,080 --> 00:14:20,720 Speaker 3: In terms of the international flights for the repatriated Australians, 325 00:14:21,000 --> 00:14:23,360 Speaker 3: we did see people leave the facility because they completed 326 00:14:23,400 --> 00:14:26,360 Speaker 3: their quarantine over the weekend ahead of more arrivals over 327 00:14:26,400 --> 00:14:28,600 Speaker 3: the next few days. So I think the numbers have 328 00:14:28,680 --> 00:14:31,280 Speaker 3: grown by a couple of hundred. Those internationals would have 329 00:14:31,320 --> 00:14:33,200 Speaker 3: gone down, but you'll see more people arrive today. 330 00:14:33,320 --> 00:14:35,480 Speaker 1: Okay, I do want to ask about this situation at 331 00:14:35,520 --> 00:14:36,600 Speaker 1: Royal dal And Hospital. 332 00:14:36,600 --> 00:14:38,280 Speaker 2: We know that a video has emerged. 333 00:14:38,320 --> 00:14:41,120 Speaker 1: The NT News is reporting of emergency vehicles backed up 334 00:14:41,160 --> 00:14:44,840 Speaker 1: waiting to admit patients at RDH and it's been shared 335 00:14:44,880 --> 00:14:47,800 Speaker 1: on the socials and in the media. It was also 336 00:14:48,040 --> 00:14:50,720 Speaker 1: like it was shared on retolers our Northern Territory Facebook 337 00:14:50,760 --> 00:14:54,320 Speaker 1: page and well it's said that it's been filmed on 338 00:14:54,840 --> 00:14:57,240 Speaker 1: May the twenty first, at about four fourteen in the 339 00:14:57,360 --> 00:15:00,400 Speaker 1: RVO and it shows at least ten St John nty 340 00:15:00,520 --> 00:15:05,480 Speaker 1: emergency emergency vehicles and ambulances well waiting there trying to 341 00:15:05,520 --> 00:15:06,600 Speaker 1: admit patients. 342 00:15:06,920 --> 00:15:07,680 Speaker 2: What's going on? 343 00:15:08,040 --> 00:15:10,040 Speaker 3: So, Katie, rhodsow In Hospital is one of the busiest 344 00:15:10,040 --> 00:15:13,040 Speaker 3: hospitals in the country, and particularly the emergency department, and 345 00:15:13,120 --> 00:15:15,680 Speaker 3: I think everyone that works out there, whether they're involved 346 00:15:15,680 --> 00:15:19,720 Speaker 3: in administration, cleaning or you know, through to that clinical care. 347 00:15:19,760 --> 00:15:21,600 Speaker 3: But we have seen a peak in demand. I want 348 00:15:21,640 --> 00:15:23,480 Speaker 3: to make it clear to territories. We haven't had to 349 00:15:23,520 --> 00:15:26,680 Speaker 3: call that code yellow, but we certainly have seen significant pressures. 350 00:15:26,760 --> 00:15:29,280 Speaker 3: I was out at the hospital last week working with 351 00:15:29,360 --> 00:15:32,640 Speaker 3: the staff, listening to them. They are intensively managing this, Katie. 352 00:15:32,680 --> 00:15:36,360 Speaker 3: There's not one reason why they're seeing these pressures, but 353 00:15:36,440 --> 00:15:39,200 Speaker 3: they are managing that bed flow, particularly through the hospitals, 354 00:15:39,200 --> 00:15:41,080 Speaker 3: to relieve the pressure on the emergency department. 355 00:15:41,160 --> 00:15:43,480 Speaker 1: So is there bed blockages or is there a situation 356 00:15:43,560 --> 00:15:45,760 Speaker 1: where you know, you've got people coming into emergency and 357 00:15:45,800 --> 00:15:47,240 Speaker 1: you don't have anywhere to take them. 358 00:15:47,480 --> 00:15:50,000 Speaker 3: So what we're seeing is that the overall flow through 359 00:15:50,000 --> 00:15:52,120 Speaker 3: of the hospital, so we're making sure that we get 360 00:15:52,120 --> 00:15:54,440 Speaker 3: people in, they get that care, and then we get 361 00:15:54,440 --> 00:15:56,200 Speaker 3: them out so we can utilize that bed for the 362 00:15:56,240 --> 00:15:58,520 Speaker 3: next person. But yes, we have seen pressures within our 363 00:15:58,560 --> 00:16:01,280 Speaker 3: emergency department and the hospital as a whole. 364 00:16:01,560 --> 00:16:03,960 Speaker 1: Okay, I do want to ask about the vaccine roll out. 365 00:16:04,000 --> 00:16:05,000 Speaker 1: Where are we at now in. 366 00:16:05,000 --> 00:16:08,320 Speaker 3: Terms of those numbers, So, Katie, over forty thousand Territorians 367 00:16:08,360 --> 00:16:11,360 Speaker 3: have been vaccinated and around ten thousand people have had 368 00:16:11,360 --> 00:16:14,960 Speaker 3: that second vaccination. This week, I believe is the start 369 00:16:15,040 --> 00:16:17,640 Speaker 3: of the second doses for those Territorians that were the 370 00:16:17,640 --> 00:16:20,880 Speaker 3: first to receive the astrazeneka. So those numbers will increase 371 00:16:21,040 --> 00:16:23,880 Speaker 3: of people fully vaccinated and so we'll continue to roll 372 00:16:23,880 --> 00:16:26,120 Speaker 3: out the vaccine program. We are looking towards the end 373 00:16:26,160 --> 00:16:28,720 Speaker 3: of the month of seeing more piza coming in, which 374 00:16:28,760 --> 00:16:30,720 Speaker 3: means we'll expand that program once again. 375 00:16:31,360 --> 00:16:35,120 Speaker 1: There's been so many people actually ask are we going 376 00:16:35,160 --> 00:16:39,600 Speaker 1: to need to still self isolate in these situations once 377 00:16:39,840 --> 00:16:40,760 Speaker 1: we're vaccinated? 378 00:16:41,080 --> 00:16:43,360 Speaker 3: So Katie, we need to see lots and lots of people. 379 00:16:43,400 --> 00:16:45,880 Speaker 3: We need to see the majority of our population vaccinated 380 00:16:45,920 --> 00:16:48,440 Speaker 3: for that herd immunity. But this is something that is 381 00:16:48,480 --> 00:16:51,920 Speaker 3: starting to be contemplated. Sorry, it is a Monday morning 382 00:16:52,160 --> 00:16:55,400 Speaker 3: at a national level. So if people are vaccinated, how 383 00:16:55,440 --> 00:16:58,720 Speaker 3: does that ensure that they perhaps don't have to adhere 384 00:16:58,760 --> 00:17:00,920 Speaker 3: to some of this. There hasn't been any decisions made yet. 385 00:17:01,360 --> 00:17:03,800 Speaker 3: We still know that you can get the illness when vaccinated, 386 00:17:03,840 --> 00:17:05,400 Speaker 3: it's less of an illness. We know that you can 387 00:17:05,400 --> 00:17:07,359 Speaker 3: still transmit it, so we really need everyone to be 388 00:17:07,480 --> 00:17:09,159 Speaker 3: vaccinated before we have those conversations. 389 00:17:09,200 --> 00:17:10,520 Speaker 1: Well, and I guess you know, at the end of 390 00:17:10,520 --> 00:17:13,119 Speaker 1: the day, it could actually also encourage people to go 391 00:17:13,160 --> 00:17:14,080 Speaker 1: and get vaccinated. 392 00:17:14,440 --> 00:17:16,920 Speaker 3: Off the back of what's happened in Victoria. Coronavirus is 393 00:17:16,920 --> 00:17:19,200 Speaker 3: an ever present threat. We're only a case away from 394 00:17:19,200 --> 00:17:23,120 Speaker 3: community transmission here in the territory. Go to Coronavirus dot gov, 395 00:17:23,160 --> 00:17:25,880 Speaker 3: dot NT dot AU. You can book online to get 396 00:17:25,880 --> 00:17:28,840 Speaker 3: your vaccination there's a range of people that can be vaccinated. 397 00:17:28,920 --> 00:17:29,400 Speaker 2: Katie. 398 00:17:29,440 --> 00:17:31,960 Speaker 3: There's the eligibility checker there. You fill that in and 399 00:17:32,000 --> 00:17:34,160 Speaker 3: you might be surprised to see you can get vaccinated. 400 00:17:34,240 --> 00:17:35,600 Speaker 2: There's a lot of people who are. 401 00:17:35,560 --> 00:17:38,719 Speaker 1: Quite confused about this vaccination. Now I've got another message here. 402 00:17:38,720 --> 00:17:42,120 Speaker 1: It says, Hi, Katie, I'm very confused with this vaccination issue. 403 00:17:42,280 --> 00:17:44,320 Speaker 1: I heard on the news this morning a doctor saying 404 00:17:44,320 --> 00:17:47,520 Speaker 1: that if more people get vaccinated, it would stop the spread. 405 00:17:47,560 --> 00:17:50,480 Speaker 1: But I also but I was also told that being 406 00:17:50,600 --> 00:17:54,160 Speaker 1: vaccinated doesn't stop you from getting the virus or spreading it. 407 00:17:54,560 --> 00:17:56,399 Speaker 2: I don't understand, says that text. 408 00:17:56,640 --> 00:17:58,359 Speaker 3: And Katie, it might be appropriate to get one of 409 00:17:58,359 --> 00:18:00,760 Speaker 3: our health professionals. I'm not a health profess. But it's 410 00:18:00,800 --> 00:18:03,280 Speaker 3: like the flu vaccine. You get the vaccine, you could 411 00:18:03,320 --> 00:18:05,439 Speaker 3: still get the flu, but you don't get that severity. 412 00:18:05,520 --> 00:18:08,400 Speaker 3: And when we see the herd immunity in our community, 413 00:18:08,480 --> 00:18:10,760 Speaker 3: we see the illness become less and less of an impact. 414 00:18:10,800 --> 00:18:13,800 Speaker 3: So just go on and check the eligibility criteria. You 415 00:18:13,880 --> 00:18:15,879 Speaker 3: might be surprised to find that you can check it. 416 00:18:15,880 --> 00:18:18,960 Speaker 3: There's a wide range of criteria. Anyone over the age 417 00:18:18,960 --> 00:18:21,840 Speaker 3: of fifty can access it. So that's the most important 418 00:18:21,840 --> 00:18:22,840 Speaker 3: message right now, all. 419 00:18:22,760 --> 00:18:23,280 Speaker 2: Right, Minister. 420 00:18:23,320 --> 00:18:27,120 Speaker 1: Another message here It says keep the repatriated Australians coming 421 00:18:27,160 --> 00:18:30,080 Speaker 1: through the Wrath Base or coming through RAF. 422 00:18:30,160 --> 00:18:31,679 Speaker 2: If it ain't, don't fix it. 423 00:18:32,000 --> 00:18:34,360 Speaker 1: Government does not need to keep changing it to look 424 00:18:34,440 --> 00:18:35,439 Speaker 1: like they're doing things. 425 00:18:35,680 --> 00:18:37,399 Speaker 3: I can assure you we're not doing it so that 426 00:18:37,440 --> 00:18:39,560 Speaker 3: we look like we're doing things. But hear that point 427 00:18:39,560 --> 00:18:41,280 Speaker 3: of view. Any changes that will be made to be 428 00:18:41,320 --> 00:18:44,120 Speaker 3: well communicated with the community so they can understand the safety. 429 00:18:44,160 --> 00:18:46,440 Speaker 1: When are you anticipating that's going to happen. We don't 430 00:18:46,440 --> 00:18:48,800 Speaker 1: have a date, Katie, in coming weeks. No, we do 431 00:18:48,920 --> 00:18:50,240 Speaker 1: not even have that timeframe. 432 00:18:50,480 --> 00:18:52,720 Speaker 3: There is criteria that needs to be met before we 433 00:18:52,760 --> 00:18:54,879 Speaker 3: can contemplate that change, and that's not in place. 434 00:18:55,000 --> 00:18:57,240 Speaker 2: Okay, So what criteria need to be met? 435 00:18:57,359 --> 00:18:58,720 Speaker 3: So that was what I was saying to you before 436 00:18:58,760 --> 00:19:01,000 Speaker 3: we need some physical alters. We need to make sure 437 00:19:01,000 --> 00:19:03,920 Speaker 3: the airflow is completely separate those types of measures. 438 00:19:03,960 --> 00:19:05,680 Speaker 2: Okay. So it sounds like it could still be a 439 00:19:05,720 --> 00:19:09,080 Speaker 2: little way off. Yes, all right, And there. 440 00:19:08,960 --> 00:19:11,879 Speaker 1: Is still no doubt plenty to come on this topic 441 00:19:11,880 --> 00:19:13,600 Speaker 1: because I know it's got people a little bit concerned. 442 00:19:14,200 --> 00:19:16,760 Speaker 2: Messages coming through. Yeah, and I can understand that Katie. 443 00:19:16,800 --> 00:19:19,800 Speaker 3: Any change is obviously concerning, particularly when we've done so well. 444 00:19:19,840 --> 00:19:21,840 Speaker 3: But this is about the longevity of the program. It's 445 00:19:21,880 --> 00:19:24,399 Speaker 3: not something that was just thought up randomly. This is 446 00:19:24,400 --> 00:19:28,160 Speaker 3: based off we've had those Chief Nurse from the Australian 447 00:19:28,200 --> 00:19:31,919 Speaker 3: Government reports. We've had a number of looking at the 448 00:19:32,280 --> 00:19:34,639 Speaker 3: role we play with our quarantine, what we've done and 449 00:19:34,680 --> 00:19:37,080 Speaker 3: how we can continually improve that. And I do point 450 00:19:37,080 --> 00:19:39,320 Speaker 3: to the fact that when we first welcomed the flights 451 00:19:39,320 --> 00:19:41,280 Speaker 3: from Wuhan and Diamond Princess, we got on the plane 452 00:19:41,280 --> 00:19:43,600 Speaker 3: and welcomed those people. There's no way we would do 453 00:19:43,640 --> 00:19:45,879 Speaker 3: that now we try and minimize that contact. So just 454 00:19:45,920 --> 00:19:47,600 Speaker 3: to reassure your listeners. 455 00:19:47,359 --> 00:19:50,640 Speaker 1: Well, Natasha Files the Health Minister, we always appreciate your time, 456 00:19:50,760 --> 00:19:53,000 Speaker 1: especially this morning and answering all of those questions for 457 00:19:53,080 --> 00:19:54,200 Speaker 1: us very extensively. 458 00:19:54,600 --> 00:19:57,000 Speaker 2: We'll catch up with you again soon. Thank you, Thank you,