JobKeeper 'exactly what we needed' says NT Chief Minister

The Northern Territory Chief Minister has estimated between the Federal and NT government stimulus initiatives, around $1 billion will go into the territory's economy over the next six months.

Michael Gunner described the Commonwealth's JobKeeper wage subsidy as a game changer, praising the Prime Minister for listening.

"It's exactly what we needed, it's what I asked the prime minister, and he has delivered," Mr Gunner said.

"We're expecting nearly 7000 businesses to benefit, supporting jobs and wages of 45,000 Territory workers."

Mr Gunner also flagged money from the NT government's $50 million Small Business Survival Fund will start to flow locally this week, with 260 applications lodged.

"It means fewer people at Centrelink, it means more people on the job. Local businesses are now hiring back the workers they had to let go," he said.

However, the Chief Minister flagged that local businesses will feel pain from the economic impact of coronavirus for up to 18 months, due to timing of the virus coinciding with the traditional peak tourist season, which now won't be experienced.

"You've got the down time of about six months and then you've got the high season for six months and you've got another down time. For a lot of Territory businesses this is going to be an 18 month whack," Mr Gunner said.

"We're actively thinking about the rebound and how we manage that."

It comes as the NT steps up its border restrictions with interstate arrivals, from midnight tonight, to join overseas arrivals in forced hotel quarantine for 14 days.

"We don't want you to come, I'm sorry, if you can stay where you are, the Territory will be opened up for business soon, in six months, and we'd love to have you then," Mr Gunner said.

And asked if the Northern Territory will follow Victoria's lead and flag potentially penalising people for seeing their partner if they don't live together, Mr Gunner could only shake his head.

"I believe in love in the time of corona," he said.