NT police recruits fast-tracked amid virus

Northern Territory police recruits will have their training fast-tracked to bolster officer numbers during the coronavirus outbreak.

The squad of 59 constables will graduate in mid-April - six weeks early - before they are deployed to regional areas.

Chief minister Michael Gunner said the new graduates would help shield the Territory during a critical period.

"We are facing unprecedented times - and it is vital that our hardworking police have all the support and resources they need to help protect our community," he said on Sunday.

"I will do whatever it takes to protect Territorians from the impacts of the coronavirus.

More than half the group will be sent to Alice Springs, while 19 will go to Katherine and 10 will be sent to Tennant Creek.

The government also announced an additional Accelerated Recruitment Program will start mid-year to employ another 30 officers.

That program aims to recruit experienced interstate police personnel and deploy them into communities after eight weeks of intensive training.

The Northern Territory announced on Saturday it would introduce strict border controls in response to the coronavirus pandemic, forcing anyone entering the region to quarantine themselves for 14 days.

The new requirements will come into force from Tuesday afternoon and will apply to entrance by road, rail, air and sea.

The action came as the number of coronavirus cases in the NT rose to five.

The latest cases involve a couple who had been on the Ruby Princess cruise ship in Sydney before flying to Darwin on Saturday.