The CEO of Aboriginal Medical Services of the Northern Territory (AMSNT) is calling on the NT government to keep the borders closed into the new year.
The current plan is to drop the need for any quarantine requirements for double vaccinated travellers from interstate red zones on December 20.
AMSNT CEO John Paterson said he would prefer a mid-January date.
"That would allow us time to increase the vaccination rates, particularly in those low vaccinated local government areas throughout the Northern Territory," he said.
Mr Paterson said that would give the low vaccination regions time to boost their rates.
"We'd probably be getting very close to that 90 to 95 per cent vaccination rate, if we continue the trend that we're on."
Staff shortages
Mr Paterson said staff shortages over the Christmas and new year period will add another level of complexity to the situation.
"This is something else we've been bringing to the attention of both Northern Territory and Commonwealth governments.
"We need a surge workforce ready right now, to provide extra support that we're going to require and continue the vaccination rollout to those low LGA regions throughout the Territory."
Mr Paterson said that 50 to 60 extra personnel would be needed.
"We have to make sure those nurses are registered to do the vaccination process.
Mr Paterson said that he would be happy to work with the government to keep the current seven day home quarantine system to remain until mid-January.
"We've been advocating for this very early on when we started talking about when we should open up the Territory and the borders," he said.
Mr Paterson holds concerns about Omicron spreading into the region with the re-opening of the Northern Territory borders.
"It just puts puts the northern Territory at further risk," he said.
