NT businesses hurting from the COVID-19 pandemic will have their payroll taxes slashed and power bills halved, in a $180 million rescue package announced today by Chief Minster Michael Gunner.

Key points: Today's new measures come on top of more than $115 million in direct business support payments and stimulus spending already announced

Today's new measures come on top of more than $115 million in direct business support payments and stimulus spending already announced Mr Gunner had also written to council across the NT today, asking them to provide at least six months of rate relief through a three month waiver

Mr Gunner had also written to council across the NT today, asking them to provide at least six months of rate relief through a three month waiver Across the Territory, 2,668 compliance checks have now been completed with seven fines issued.

Mr Gunner said the initiative aimed to keep Territorians in a job and to help businesses stay afloat for the next six months.

"Right now, a dollar that does not have to be spent on payroll or power prices is a dollar than can be spent keeping a Territorian in a job," he said.

"We are slashing payroll tax for smaller and medium businesses who can show they have been hurt by the coronavirus — their payroll tax will be completely abolished for the next six months.

"For large businesses, their payroll tax will be deferred for 6 months."

The waiver will apply to Territory employers with a total payroll below $7.5 million and where turnover has dropped by at least 30 per cent, while affected businesses with higher tax bills will get the deferral.

NT COVID-19 snapshot Cases detected in the NT: 30

Cases detected in the NT: 30 Tests conducted: 5,527

Tests conducted: 5,527 People recovered: 28 Get the latest information from the SecureNT website.

Mr Gunner said COVID-19 pandemic was adding extra pressure to the NT economy. . ( ABC News: Jessica Hinchliffe )

Commercial landlords urged to help tenants

Mr Gunner said the NT Government would also halve power bills by 50 per cent for businesses which had been "hurt" by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Power prices and water prices will be halved for the next six months," he said.

"This is massive, but it needs to be.

"This is a a once-in-a-century disaster that is hitting us from every angle."

Mr Gunner said the government would help support commercial landlords, but there were "strings attached".

"We expect commercial landlords to work with their tenant to share the pain we are all feeling right now," he said.

"When a tenant can demonstrate hardship because of the coronavirus and requests assistance from their landlord, the landlord needs to negotiate rent relief — then and only then will the landlord be eligible for support like payroll tax relief."

The $180 million rescue package was announced today by Chief Minster Michael Gunner in the NT Parliament. ( ABC News: Brendan Esposito )

Coronavirus causing budget pressure

Mr Gunner said the COVID-19 pandemic was adding extra pressure to the NT economy and budget, but businesses were hurting and they needed help to make it through the next six months.

"This is us hitting the revenue side of the budget but it's a genuine reflection of 'I don't know if there's that revenue out there to be got' [by the government]," he said.

"I think the businesses right now that are struggling wouldn't be able to pay the power bill, wouldn't be able to pay the payroll bill."

The support will be effective for six months from April 1, and businesses can apply from May 1.

Mr Gunner said he had also written to councils across the Northern Territory on Wednesday, asking them to provide at least six months of rate relief through waivers and deferrals, which some have already done..

Today's new measures come on top of more than $115 million in direct business support payments and stimulus spending already announced.

'Stay home and eat chocolate'

Mr Gunner also used the press conference to urge Territorians to stay home over the Easter break.

"Stay home and eat chocolate, that is my request as Chief Minister, stay home and eat chocolate," he said.

Mr Gunner asked Territorians to stay home this weekend and eat lots of chocolate. ( iStockPhoto/Tuned_In )

"We are still the safest place in Australia, now is not the time to be complacent."

He said people should not hesitate to alert authorities to anyone they thought was breaching public health directives.

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"If you see someone doing the wrong thing, like breaking their quarantine, then call the cops and dob them in — 131 444, dob in that flog."

NT Police Commander Tony Fuller echoed the call and said over the long weekend police, public and environmental health officers and the Australian Defence Force members would continue quarantine compliance checks.

NT police will still be issuing fines this weekend to people doing the wrong thing. ( ABC: Alan Dowler )

NT Police said 2,668 checks had been made in the NT, with seven fines issued.

"Stay home, keep to your immediate family," Commander Fuller said.

"It's important that we limit our contact with others. The NT is the only jurisdiction that hasn't had a death due to the virus and so far there's been no community transmission, we want it to stay that way.

"This Easter, if you can, support your local businesses and restaurants, order some takeaway. Money that you might have spent camping can be put towards supporting locals.

"Most parks are closed and fishing is only possible at certain spots."

How do I get tested in the NT? If you can't contact or get to your GP, but you have the symptoms, you should call 1800 008 002

If you can't contact or get to your GP, but you have the symptoms, you should call 1800 008 002 This is a dedicated NT-wide coronavirus (COVID-19) number for people who need to arrange testing only

This is a dedicated NT-wide coronavirus (COVID-19) number for people who need to arrange testing only If you live in Darwin and need to arrange testing, call the Public Health Unit on 8922 8044

If you live in Darwin and need to arrange testing, call the Public Health Unit on 8922 8044 Patients who are tested should remain isolated at home until they receive their test results

Patients who are tested should remain isolated at home until they receive their test results For general advice, Territorians can call 1800 020 080 Latest information from SecureNT website