- Howard Springs facility in Darwin will cease operations as Covid rules are axed
- Facility was used to accommodate returned travellers from repatriation flights
- Vaccine mandates to be scrapped on June 16 as public health emergency ends
- Teachers, beauticians and hospitality workers no longer need to be triple-jabbed
By Olivia Day For Daily Mail Australia
Published: 11:11 AEST, 9 June 2022 | Updated: 12:46 AEST, 9 June 2022
Australia’s largest Covid-19 quarantine centre will close its door for good as the Northern Territory moves to scrap vaccine mandates.
Chief Minister Natasha Fyles announced the Howard Springs facility 30km southeast of Darwin will cease operations by the end of the month.
Wide-reaching vaccine mandates are also set to be scrapped in just a weeks time as the NT’s public health emergency comes to an end on June 16.
The facility was used to accommodate those affected by the Covid-19 outbreak in the Katherine region as well as returned travellers from repatriation flights.
The NT is the last state or territory in Australia to require a third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine for much of its workforce.
From June 16, teachers, hospitality workers and beauticians will no longer need to be triple-vaccinated to attend their workplaces.
Recently-passed legislation will give the chief health minister the power to issue health directives, including rules on masks, isolation time and vaccines.
