COVID-19 (coronavirus) business update hub

Resource centre

General COVID-19 advice
General business resources
Tourism operator resources
Regional access information

As part of the Northern Territory Government’s Local Emergency Plan in response to COVID-19, a Public Information Group has been established to oversee the communications response for East Arnhem. The Public Information Group has nominated DEAL to coordinate and provide regional business updates. In developing these materials, DEAL is working closely with the Northern Territory Government and other regional stakeholders to ensure veracity and timeliness of information.

27 March 2020

COVID-19 business update – tourism

East Arnhem Land Tourist Association has provided a further update with tourism related resources and support.

You can read this update here.

23 March 2020

Announcement: DEAL COVID-19 business support

DEAL has released its early response measures to COVID-19 today including:

  • Business continuity planning
  • Rent relief
  • Regional stimulus

You can read the announcement here.

20 March 2020

COVID-19 business update 3 – staffing issues survey

We understand that some East Arnhem businesses are experiencing different staffing pressures as a result of responses to COVID-19. Developing East Arnhem Limited (DEAL) and Department of Trade, Business and Innovation (DTBI) are coordinating opportunities for East Arnhem businesses to support each other with their staffing needs at this time. 

If you are experiencing staffing shortages or are at risk of standing down employees as a result of responses to COVID-19 and would like support with these staffing issues, please complete this survey.

Take survey here

We will contact survey respondents shortly, but in the meantime if you would like to discuss your staffing requirements please contact:
Annelies Voorthuis
                Business and Workforce – DTBI
                P: (08) 8987 0553
                E: Annelies.Voorthuis@nt.gov.au

19 March 2020

COVID-19 business update 2 – tourism

The East Arnhem Land Tourist Association (EALTA) recognises that the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak and travel restrictions to East Arnhem Land is creating uncertainty for the region’s tourism industry and among the broader community.

It is expected that our tourism industry will be significantly impacted by access restrictions to the region.  All tourism businesses are encouraged to start thinking about ways to shift their efforts to develop new products that appeal to residents. Travel restrictions are likely to be in place for some time and there is an opportunity for tourism businesses to refocus their product and services to cater towards new experiences for locals.

Regular updates will be sent via email to ensure you remain up to date with the latest information and support available. 

Tourism Top End is doing a fantastic job at preparing a range of dedicated conference calls with experts to provide you with up-to-date information and advice specific to the tourism industry.

Please see the schedule below:

Conference Call #1

COVID-19 Health Advice & NTG Stimulus Package

Date: Thursday 19 March
Time: 2.00pm (approx. 1 hour) 

The conference call will be in two parts.
Dr Dianne Stephens, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Northern Territory
Overview of the facts surrounding COVID-19 and what the current health advice is for residents, travellers and businesses.

Hon. Lauren Moss, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Culture
An overview of the Northern Territory Government Stimulus Package and how it relates to tourism.

Register here
Once registered for the video conference, use this link
If dialling in via phone, use 08 7150 1149 | 02 8015 6011 | 03 7018 2005
Meeting ID: 178-699-897

If you have a question for Dr Dianne Stephens or Hon. Lauren Moss, please submit it on the registration page.
For assistance using Zoom meetings, view the how-to guide or call Steven 0408 253 071.

Conference Call #2

Federal Stimulus Package & Airline Updates

Speaker: Simon Westaway, Executive Director at Australian Tourism Industry Council
Date: Friday 20 March
Time: 10.30am (approx. 30 minutes) 

Join Simon Westaway for an overview of the Federal Stimulus Package and update on airline announcements.

Register here

Once registered for the video conference, use this link
If dialling in via phone, use 08 7150 1149 | 02 8015 6011 | 03 7018 2005
Meeting ID: 858-147-879

If you have a question for Simon Westaway, please submit it on the registration page.
For assistance using Zoom meetings, view the how-to guide or call Steven 0408 253 071.

Conference Call #3

Updates to Major Events in the NT

Speaker: Tim Watsford, Chief Executive Officer of Northern Territory Major Events Company (NTMEC)
Date: Monday 23 March
Time: 1.30pm (approx. 30 minutes)

Join Tim Watsford, Chief Executive Officer of Northern Territory Major Events Company (NTMEC) for an update on the status of NTMEC owned events, including what’s going ahead, what’s on hold and what this means for you.   

Register here
Once registered for the video conference, use this link
If dialling in via phone, use 08 7150 1149 | 02 8015 6011 | 03 7018 2005
Meeting ID: 952-053-165

If you have a question for Tim Watsford, please submit it on the registration page.
For assistance using Zoom meetings, view the how-to guide or call Steven 0408 253 071.

Tourism NT Support

Tourism Fast Track Program

50 Territory tourism businesses will be eligible to complete the Tourism Fast Track program through the Business Enterprise Centre NT. 

The program was originally designed for business resilience for tourism businesses affected by the the bushfires and initial tourism downturn caused by the coronavirus outbreak but has since shifted focus to crisis management and business continuity while we work through these challenging times.

We urge all tourism businesses in East Arnhem that require support to ensure business survival to express interest in joining this program.

Get more information about the program here.

Express interest here

18 March 2020

COVID-19 business update 1

We understand this is an uncertain and challenging time for many businesses operating in the East Arnhem region. We are working closely with the Northern Territory Government, in particular the Departments of the Chief Minister and Trade, Business and Innovation, on how we can best work with our regional businesses to reduce the impact of COVID-19.

For updates on broader COVID-19 matters, refer to:

We will provide regular updates on business-related information on this dedicated page. We will update you via email and social media when new information is available.

Key messages:

  • East Arnhem economy
    • East Arnhem has a resilient economy that is likely to be more resistant to downturns compared to the wider Australian economy.
    • A moderate proportion of our economy is self-sustainable and will likely be able to continue effectively operating during this time.
    • Some industries, like tourism, will be particularly impacted. We encourage residents to support our local tourism operators where possible.
    • The priority is to continue to spend locally, keep as many people in jobs as possible and support each other through this difficult time.
  • Working to reduce business impacts
    • Businesses must think about what the steps needed to keep your business operating.
    • Businesses should have a continuity plan in place.
    • There are both Australian and Northern Territory Government stimulus packages available to support some businesses.
    • DEAL is holding a free webinar for all East Arnhem businesses on Tuesday 23 March at 10am to provide information to businesses on reducing business impacts.
    • There is specific support available for tourism operators.
    • More information about support for businesses is included below.
  • Regional access
    • Northern Land Council transit permits may be issued in or out of Nhulunbuy for the Central Arnhem Road on a case by case basis to people who work or live in Nhulunbuy. More information on permits is included below.
    • Non-essential travel to all remote communities in the region has been restricted.
    • Nhulunbuy Corporation has advised, as of 18 March, flights are continuing in and out of Gove Airport. More information is available here. 
    • Airnorth have advised, as at 18 March, they have not cut any services, are trading as normal and are solvent.
  • Critical goods
    • Critical goods are continuing to be brought in to the East Arnhem region, and we are well positioned to maintain stock levels of essential items.
    • Woolworths Gove is one of five priority stores in Australia, which means we will continue to receive essential items if available in national supply chains.
    • Woolworths Gove is working to support residents of remote communities and homelands to ensure food security and access to essential items.
    • We will be receiving additional priority essential items on top of regular barge deliveries.
    • For these reasons, hoarding and panic buying are strongly discouraged and are not required.
    • More information on critical goods is included below.

Working with East Arnhem businesses to reduce the impact of COVID-19

DEAL will be holding a free webinar for all East Arnhem businesses on Tuesday 24 March from 10–11.30am. This webinar will be run by TCA Accountants and Bookkeepers and will cover:

  • Government stimulus packages – information on what is available now and how it can be accessed
  • Steps you can take to keep your business operating during this pandemic
  • Continuity planning – what it is, why businesses should have this plan and how to create a plan

All businesses who attend will have access to a free continuity plan template, and DEAL will support businesses wishing to have an individual follow up session with TCA to do so free of charge.

If you are unable to attend at this time but want to receive a recording of the session, please also register via the link.

Register for webinar here

In the meantime, you can:

Northern Land Council permits for the East Arnhem region

The Northern Land Council has suspended all existing non-essential permits and will not grant new non-essential travel permits until further notice. Essential travel is travel required to keep a community operating (for example, travel by medical professionals, teachers, and council workers). 

People who live and work in Nhulunbuy must apply for permits to drive in or out of Nhulunbuy on the Central Arnhem Road. These will be approved on a case by case basis. You can apply for your transit permit from the Northern Land Council.

The issuing of permits on the Central Arnhem Road will also include the condition that people travelling will not stop at or engage with people, businesses or facilities at any of the communities on route. 

There will be no permits issued to people who are tourists or visitors. 

Further information on permits and remote travel restrictions in East Arnhem can be found here.

Woolworths Gove response to COVID-19

Woolworths Gove is actively maintaining stock levels. Hoarding and panic buying are strongly discouraged and not required. Hoarding and panic buying also has a significant impact on food security for our remote communities and homelands residents who rely on Woolworths Gove, but do not have daily access to the supermarket.
 
Woolworths Gove has confirmed the region is well-positioned to maintain stocks of essential goods and reduce the need for hoarding and panic buying:

  • The Woolworths Gove Manager has the discretionary power to override priority stock limits for those travelling in from remote communities and homelands to ensure regional food security, where stock levels can support it.
  • Woolworths Gove is also working to reinstate Click and Collect or another mechanism for remote communities and homelands to assist with their shopping and regional supply.
  • The primary priority is ensuring residents have access to essential items.
  • Woolworths Gove is one of five priority stores (out of Australia’s 1000+ stores) that is listed as priority for essential items.
  • Over the coming weeks there will be an additional priority delivery on top of the regular orders, which will replenish stock levels of demand items.