Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet
Alice Springs will enter into a 72-hour lockdown effective from 1pm today following a mine worker in South Australia and his family testing positive for COVID-19.
The mine worker flew from the Tanami gold mine on 25 June 2021 to the Alice Springs Airport and remained at the airport for seven hours before flying to Adelaide. The man was quarantined and tested but returned a negative test on 26 June 2021. After developing symptoms, the man was re-tested and returned a positive result today. His family have also tested positive.
The man was at the Alice Springs Airport on Friday 25 June 2021 from 9am to 4pm. The Airport and the Café will be listed as a COVID-19 public exposure site. These sites are being reviewed to see if they are close contact sites, causal contact sites or low risk contact sites and this will determine the quarantine, testing and monitoring directions the community will need to undertake. Times are still being determined by health authorities and people are requested to check the COVID-19 website for updates regularly. The list of NT COVID-19 Public Exposure Sites is at https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/stay-safe/case-location-alerts-and-public-exposure-sites
In addition to the new cases in South Australia, a mine worker who flew directly from the mine site to Brisbane on 25 June 2021 has also tested positive for COVID-19. This person is now under the care of Queensland Health authorities who are also undertaking contact tracing. There are no new cases of COVID-19 in the NT today.
Taking short, sharp action is effective in stopping the spread of COVID-19 which is why the Alice Springs Town Council area and town camps will go into lockdown for 72 hours from 1pm today. This will provide our health teams with time to identify, trace and isolate any contacts.
Those people in Alice Springs from surrounding communities, need to remain in Alice Springs at this time. We are working closely with Central Australia Aboriginal organisations to inform and support the community.
During lockdown, there are only five reasons to leave home: Masks must be worn at all times when leaving home. These include:
· To receive health care or attend medical appointments. Including to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
· To undertake shopping and get necessary goods and services. Supermarkets will stay open, so there is no need to stock up on groceries.
· To exercise for up to one hour a day within 5km of your home and only with members of your household or one other person.
· To undertake essential work. If you can work from home – you must work from home.
· In case of an emergency or if there is family violence or to provide essential care to a loved one or dependent.
All businesses, retail outlets, hospitality venues, gyms, pools and community centres will be closed. Cafes and restaurants will be able to offer take-away and delivery services. Although it is school holidays, schools and vacation care will be closed except for the children of essential workers. Childcare centres will open only for the children of essential workers. For a list of essential workers visit https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/business-and-work/essential-workers
It is important that all people in the Northern Territory continue to check the COVID-19 website to review the list of public exposure sites to make sure you are complying with the health directions. The list of public exposure sites will be updated as new information is provided through contact tracing.
The list of NT COVID-19 Public Exposure Sites is at: https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/stay-safe/case-location-alerts-and-public-exposure-sites
To arrange a COVID test, book online at coronavirus.nt.gov.au or contact the COVID-19 Hotline on 1800 490 484.
You only need to get tested if you have:
· Been to a COVID-19 public exposure site at the dates and times specified
· Have been notified by contact tracers to get tested
· Have any COVID-19 symptoms.
You can get tested at:
· Todd Facility Drive-Through Clinic
· Royal Darwin Hospital Pandemic Clinic
· Marrara Drive-Through Testing Site
· Palmerston GP Super Clinic (Respiratory Clinic) https://palmerstongpsuperclinic.com/respiratory-clinic-online-booking
The lockdown across the Greater Darwin area remains in place until 1pm on Friday 2 July 2021. Masks must be worn at all times when leaving home, including when undertaking any form of exercise. Personal behaviour remains our best defence against COVID-19.
