The Northern Territory has recorded eight new cases of COVID-19.
Six cases are linked to the NT outbreak, bringing the total number of cases to 100.
These include four cases in Tennant Creek, who were infectious while in the community, and two cases from Katherine East who were in isolation at the Centre for National Resilience (CNR) during their infectious period.
The remaining two cases are not connected to the NT outbreak. They are workers at Yulara and were close contacts of a recent positive case while in Brisbane. At this stage we believe the risk of spread for these cases is very low as they took tests as soon as they were made aware they were close contacts while in transit to the Territory. There will be close contacts from their flight and that work is being done to determine who they are and they will be contacted.
Lockdown for Tennant Creek
Tennant Creek will enter into a lockdown immediately until 5pm on Monday, 20 December 2021.
This means that residents must stay at home for the lockdown period and people are only permitted to leave for the following five reasons:
- Medical treatment, including COVID testing or vaccination
- For essential goods and services, like groceries and medications. Only one household member should visit the store, once per day.
- For work that is considered essential.
- For one hour of outdoor exercise a day within 5 km from your home with one other person or people from your house.
- To provide care and support to a family member or person who cannot support themselves. In case of an emergency.
Masks must be worn outside of the home.
Essential workers who are fully vaccinated or have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine can continue to go to work.
Non-residents in the Barkly Local Government Area (LGA) who wish to leave, must get tested for COVID-19 and can apply to exit following a negative result.
All people who have been in Tennant Creek in the past seven days, since 10 December, must immediately isolate, get tested for COVID-19 and remain in isolation until they receive a negative result.
Those people who have since left the area and are in transit – must stop at the nearest COVID-19 testing facility. Anyone who has travelled interstate is highly encouraged to get tested for COVID-19.
People may not enter the lockdown area, unless it is to access essential services, such as fuel or to transit through.
Mask mandates
A mask mandate will be implemented for the Barkly LGA until 5pm on Monday, 20 December.
Kalkarindji, Daguragu, Timber Creek and Gilwi will exit lockout as planned at 2pm today. There are now no restrictions on the reasons to leave home for people who are vaccinated and unvaccinated.
A mask mandate remains in place until 5pm 20 December for: Barunga, Beswick, Bulla, Daguragu, Gilwi, Katherine, Kalkarindji, Lajamanu, Manyallaluk, Pigeon Hole and Timber Creek.
COVID-19 testing
More than 3000 COVID-19 tests were processed across the NT yesterday.
COVID-19 testing sites are open in Tennant Creek, Katherine, Alice Springs, Nhulunbuy and Darwin and testing is available at NT Health clinics in remote communities.
To arrange a COVID-19 test please book online or contact the COVID-19 Hotline on 1800 490 484.
Genomic sequencing has confirmed six people who arrived on a repatriation flight from Johannesburg have the omicron variant of COVID-19. This brings the total number of omicron cases recorded in the NT to eight.
To reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading in our communities, it is important for everyone to follow all the health directions.
- Book your COVID-19 vaccine
- Check in using The Territory Check In App every time, everywhere
- If you have symptoms, stay away from others and get tested for COVID-19
- Wash your hands with soap and water and use hand sanitiser regularly
- Do not go to work if you feel sick
- Maintain a physical distance of 1.5 metres where possible.
