A group of NT business owners is mulling their legal options over the Gunner Government’s vaccine mandate for workers that comes into effect this Saturday, which they say will lead to job losses and business closures.

United NT Businesses, a 400-member group, was recently established by concerned business owners who oppose the vaccine mandate – not necessarily the vaccine itself, they say – and has been raising awareness of the consequences the mandate will have on Territory jobs and businesses.

On Tuesday, the group told Mix104.9 that they are “fairly well advanced in looking at a legal action to try and declare these mandates unlawful.”

Territory business owner and United NT Businesses member Mario Tsirbas estimated that 40 per cent of employees in some businesses are not vaccinated, adding that “it will have a huge implication across the board for all businesses” when the mandatory vaccination rules kick in after Friday.

“No business in Darwin wants to see COVID coming to their premises or amongst their staff or their family. But this blanket mandate is not the solution,” he said.

“All this is doing is creating division, when this is a time we should be coming together. We are the Territory, we are clever, we are resourceful, we know how to find solutions; this blanket ban doesn’t provide that option for any of the businesses in our group.”

He also pointed to the mental health toll of these mandates to employees as being an area of concern.

“We’ve got people who are about to lose everything that they’ve worked years and years for,” he said.

“We’ve got staff that have been with us for 10-15 coming up to 20 years. Those conversations where you have to look someone in the eye and say: ‘Sorry, mate, you know, I’ve got to force you to take something you don’t want to take that you have honest reservations [about]… But come Friday, you’re gone’.”

The group – who Mr Tsirbas said is made up of vaccinated and unvaccinated business owners – has urged anyone who has concerns over the vaccination mandate to get in touch with them.

On October 13, the NT Government released new Chief Health Officer directions requiring the mandatory vaccination of workers to attend workplaces.

The new health directions will require employers to request proof of vaccination and requires employers to keep a register of all staff member’s vaccinations.

The mandatory vaccine rules will include workers interacting with customers at banks, grocery stores, barbers, hairdressers, beauty therapists and many other businesses.

These workers will be required to have received their first dose by November 12 and the second dose by December 24.

A booster has also been required for workers in 2022.

Mr Tsirbas said the mandates “force [employers] to discriminate amongst staff and customer base”.

“You know, anyone who’s of Indigenous heritage is classed as vulnerable, regardless of the vaccination status, regardless of their physical health, and that has huge implications and ramifications for every business in the Territory,” Mr Tsirbas said.

“There’s a lot of anger and concern – just on that one issue alone.”

He also expressed disappointment over the Gunner Government’s failure to consult with businesses, including the Master Builders Association and others, who previously said they have been ignored by the government.

“For them to come out and talk like that in public shows the level of contempt this government has for businesses and owners in this town,” Mr Tsirbas said.

“It’s a lack of leadership.”

The recent lockout restrictions – which were just lifted last night – was seen as a preview of what’s to come when the mandate rules take effect Friday, with reports of workers having to stay home because they weren’t vaccinated.

Other industry groups reported that some businesses were forced to close during the lockout because they did not have enough vaccinated staff members.