17 August 2021

The Northern Territory government has entered into a 72 hour lockdown. Effect from 12:01pm 16th August 2021 until 12:01pm 19th August 2021.

The following locations will enter a full lockdown:

City of Darwin
City of Palmerston
Litchfield Council
Wagait Shire
Belyuen Shire
Dundee
Bynoe
Charlotte
Cox Peninsula
Municipality of Katherine including Tindal

What does this mean for ANTA Members?

According to the directions, the only ANTA members able to work face-to-face during this lockdown, in the specified locations, are Acupuncturists and Chinese Herbal Medicine practitioners when providing Critical Clinical Care.

These modalities have been classified as Allied Health from the Federal Chief Allied Health Officer.

What is Critical Clinical Care?

For this purpose, critical clinical care has been defined as:

to prevent a significant change/deterioration in functional independence which would result in an escalation of care needs (e.g. an increase in frequency of treatment needed, an increased need for prescription medication due to a significant increase in pain, requirement for specialist input or review, an increase in care needs, and/or a substantial increase to anticipated recovery time associated with a delay in receiving services)
to provide assessment and diagnostic services to clients / patients whose care have been delayed as a result of previous restrictions, with any further delay likely to result in deterioration in functional independence or adverse health outcomes (including access to diagnostic imaging services or assessment for prescription of assistive equipment and technology)
to provide services that are essential as part of a broader plan of care with a medical practitioner (e.g. fitting a brace post-surgery)
to provide services that are part of a conservative management plan to avoid or delay elective surgery (as agreed with treating team)
to provide services immediately following elective surgery that prevent secondary complications or aid functional recovery (as agreed with treating team

If you have the ability to work via telehealth/virtual means, you are welcome to do so.

Masks

Masks must be worn when outside of your usual place of residence.