When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Sydneysider Reed Davies’ work hours and income were slashed by more than half and he spent nearly three weeks isolated in his apartment.
Key points:
- To date, more than 11,000 arrivals in the NT have been covered by a quarantine exemption
- Exemptions can be granted to those who may face negative outcomes from being quarantined in a hotel
- Essential workers such as police are also granted exemptions
Frustrated and lonely, 25-year-old Mr Davies sought help from his mother Jane Davies, who lives in Darwin.
She encouraged her son to fly to the NT to be with family in a city which had no community transmission and a low rate of COVID-19.
Mr Davies said he told police at Darwin Airport he planned to isolate at his parents’ house, but officers said he would need to do the 14 days’ quarantine at a hotel instead. In line wi