One year after NT reopened borders, Territorians reflect on highs and lows of lifting COVID-19 curtain

Today marks one year since the Northern Territory opened its borders to the rest of Australia, ending nearly two years of tough travel restrictions. John Paterson, chief executive of the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance NT, said it was "very sad for us to have those high death rates". He said the NT health department and the Aboriginal community-controlled community sector had "worked very effectively for us here in the Northern Territory". Quarantine and the recovery NT Chief Minister Natasha Fyles, who served as health minister during much of the pandemic, said: "The Northern Territory had a fantastic response to COVID-19." Mr Vears praised the NT government for its tourism voucher scheme, which he said "saved us".