27 June 2021

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Northern Territory lockdown

The Northern Territory Government has issued directions that affect some providers in the Northern Territory. 

Key points

• The Northern Territory local government areas of Darwin, Palmerston, and Darwin rural areas are entering a 48-hour lockdown commencing 1pm, Sunday 27 June 2021.
• Disability workers are considered essential workers and should continue providing supports to people with disability where possible in accordance with the restrictions.
• Masks must be worn at all times when outside the home, including when providing disability supports.
• NDIS providers should review their outbreak management and business continuity plans and take steps to prevent the risk of infection of NDIS participants and workers.
• Notify the NDIS Commission of any significant changes to services or supports as a result of the new restrictions.

Updated health directions

The Northern Territory Government is imposing a 48-hour lockdown in Darwin, Palmerston, and Darwin rural areas in response to increased numbers of active COVID-19 cases, commencing 1pm, Sunday 27 June 2021.

This means the local government areas of the City of Darwin, the City of Palmerston, and Litchfield.

We encourage you to read the full details of the decision made by the Security and Emergency Management Committee under the Northern Territory pandemic plan.

Masks must be worn when outside the home, including when providing services and supports to people with disability.

Disability workers are essential workers

Disability workers are classified as essential workers under these restrictions.

Outbreak preparedness

For guidance on preventing and managing COVID-19 outbreaks in disability residential settings, please refer to the Communicable Diseases Network Australia’s (CDNA) disability supplement.

Additionally, the NDIS Commission’s fact sheet on outbreak preparedness provides information on preparing for, preventing and managing an outbreak in disability settings. 

We suggest that you:

• review and update your emergency plans
• ensure all workers have been trained and have had refreshers on infection control and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• minimise staff working across multiple sites
• regularly communicate changes to services and supports to NDIS participants and their families
• ensure all your staff are familiar with and practice sound infection control, physical distancing and hygiene practices

• allow people with disability to have permissible community access for essential supports (such as exercising or attending medical appointments).

Notification of changes or events

You must notify the NDIS Commission of any change or event that significantly affects your ability to comply with any of your conditions of registration. Please use the COVID-19 notification of events form  to report these changes. This enables us to monitor changes in the NDIS market and to connect you with any supports you might need.

Your requirements to notify the NDIS Commission of reportable incidents under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (Incident Management and Reportable Incidents) Rules 2018 are separate from the COVID-19 notification of changes or events and remain unchanged.

NDIS Commission COVID-19 information and resources

The COVID-19 vaccine information webpage on our website contains links to updates about COVID-19 vaccines and resources for NDIS providers.

We also have a COVID-19 vaccine webpage containing information for people with disability.

Contact us

Call: 1800 035 544 (free call from landlines). Our contact centre is open 9.00am to 5.00pm (9.00am to 4.30pm in the NT) Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.

Email: contactcentre@ndiscommission.gov.au

Website: www.ndiscommission.gov.au