Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet
The Lockdown lifted in Greater Darwin from noon today but it has been extended in Katherine for an additional 24 hours until noon tomorrow, while we await further COVID-19 test results.
More than 2400 COVID-19 tests were undertaken across the NT yesterday, with all returning a negative result.
Our health teams have worked to trace, trap and test 87 close contacts. Close contacts are required to undertake 14 days of quarantine and will stay in quarantine even after lockdown ends.
As at 9am, a total of 626 casual contacts have been identified with 490 of these in Katherine. Of the casual contacts, 272 negative tests have been returned and 232 test results are pending. An additional 122 contacts are being followed up including 12 people from Katherine who need to be located.
Wastewater testing for Greater Darwin and Katherine have returned a positive result, but this was expected as the positive case spent time in both areas. The test results in the coming days will be an important indicator that we have contained the virus.
Restrictions in Greater Darwin
From noon today there will be no restrictions on the reasons to leave home if you live in Greater Darwin but some restrictions will remain in place to reduce the risk of COVID-19 in our community. These will be reviewed in seven days on 26 August 2021.
· Travel will be permitted across the Territory but restrictions continue to apply if you travel outside of the former Greater Darwin lockdown area.
· Face masks must be worn when you are unable to physically distance – this includes at places like the supermarket, shops, the hairdresser and on public transport. Workers who come into close contact with patrons, or who work in crowded environments will need to wear a mask.
· The Territory Check-In App is mandatory for business, organisations and places. Customers and visitors must check-in every time, no matter how long they are there for.
· You can have a private gathering of up to 10 people at a time in your home.
· Restaurants, cafes and pubs will re-open for seated service only. Patrons will be required to wear a mask when at the bar. Dance floors will remain closed.
· Markets will remain closed.
· Non-contact sports are permitted. Indoor exercise including at gyms, Zumba, barre, pilates and yoga studios will remain closed.
· There are no additional requirements for major events but mask rules apply and The Territory Check-In App must be used. Darwin Festival Park is considered an outdoor restaurant and people must be seated for eating and drinking. Masks must be worn when gathering around others.
· Schools and childcare centres will open for learning from tomorrow. Children in Middle School and Senior School will be required to wear a mask, but those students at primary school who are under 12 years are encouraged but not required to.
Taking these next steps will continue to provide protection to our communities while we review and monitor the situation.
It's important you get tested if you have any symptoms. Book online or call the COVID-19 Hotline on 1800 490 484.
Border Entry
Hotspots
While the genomics of the positive NT case have confirmed it to be the Delta strain of COVID-19, the source of the case remains a mystery, as it has not been linked to any outbreak at this time.
There is also a high prevalence of COVID-19 and community transmission in NSW and the ACT and for this reason, the Chief Health Officer is declaring Sydney Airport and Canberra Airport as hotspots for the purpose of travel to the Northern Territory, effective at 5pm today.
Anyone travelling from a declared hotspot is not permitted to enter the Northern Territory without an approved exemption.
Those people with an approved exemption to travel, who have been in the Sydney Airport or Canberra Airport and arrive in the Northern Territory after 5.00pm on 19 August 2021, will be required to undertake 14 days of mandatory supervised quarantine at the Alice Springs or Howard Springs quarantine facilities.
All other airports across Australia are not considered to be hotspots and are able to be transited through.
Day Three Testing
The Chief Health Officer is also strengthening our Day Three Testing Direction which requires those people who have undertaken quarantine interstate to get tested for COVID-19 on Day Three after arriving in the Northern Territory.
This Direction will now require those people who have undertaken quarantine interstate to enter into supervised mandatory quarantine at the time of their arrival into the Northern Territory and remain there until a negative test is returned. By doing this we are adding an extra layer of protection to our border controls across the NT to try and reduce the risk of COVID-19 in our communities.
