The Northern Territory government is enacting plans to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic for the next five years in recognition the virus will continue to impact society into the future.
Tender documents show the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics is seeking long-term transport options for people directed into supervised quarantine after arriving in the NT.
"The contract enables the Northern Territory to respond to the ever-changing COVID-19 pandemic over a period of 60 months," a department spokesperson said.
The timeframe gives the department "continuity of services" to deal with "unpredictable" coronavirus outbreaks, they said.
"Having a contract of this nature in place enables the department to ensure it has sufficient, qualified and suitable contractors available as and when required."
The contract extends similar arrangements that are currently in place, which have seen more than 10,000 people transported in coaches and minibuses to quarantine facilities at Howard Springs and Alice Springs.
The tender documents say a range of vehicles will continue to be used for passengers arriving on international repatriation flights or from interstate COVID-19 hotspots.
Marylouise McLaws, an epidemiologist at the University of NSW and an advisor to the World Health Organization, said it was "sensible" for governments to implement long-term plans because international vaccination rates remained relatively low.
"Until we get at least 70 per cent of the world population vaccinated, this virus will continue to circulate and mutate," Professor McLaws said.
The tender documents say transport providers must have COVID-19 safety plans in place, including appropriate vehicle cleaning processes and the correct use of personal protective equipment.
However, drivers will not be required to transport positive COVID-19 cases, who will instead be taken via ambulance.
The contract also allows for transportation services to be used for other emergency responses, including cyclones and community evacuations, the spokesperson said.
