The Territory Plan for COVID Management at Stage 3 of the National Plan has been released by Chief Minister Michael Gunner.

The Plan outlines 5 key elements. They include new rules around border restrictions and freedoms. There is an emphasis on protecting vulnerable people in remote communities, as well as children who are unable to access the vaccine.

Of relevance to disability service providers is the plan to phase-in the “strongest vaccination rules in Australia – making vaccines compulsory in high-risk settings.”

It states there will be three tests to determine whether a worker needs to be vaccinated. The first is whether a person “directly interacts with vulnerable person(s)” and includes teachers, childcare workers, health and emergency services, community services, and anyone who works in a remote community.

The Territory Plan does not explicitly mention disability service providers. However, NDS believes this is a clear indication that vaccination will become mandatory for workers in direct support roles, including occasional contact.

The Plan advises that when the 80 per cent full vaccination target has been reached, it will phase-in mandatory vaccinations for these high-risk settings from a certain date, which will be determined at the time.

The Plan also states the intention to do “whatever it takes to protect vulnerable remote communities from the virus.”