A number of new COVID-19 public exposure sites have been identified across Darwin as our health teams work to undertake contact tracing.
People who have visited NT public exposure sites are defined as close contacts, causal contacts or low risk contacts and are required to follow a number of health directions including undertaking quarantine and getting tested.
It is important that all people in the Northern Territory check the COVID-19 website and review the list of public exposure sites to make sure you are complying with the health directions.
COVID-19 public exposure sites in the Northern Territory are listed on the COVID-19 website at https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/
The COVID-19 lockdown across the Greater Darwin Area will be extended for a further 72 hours until 1pm on Friday 2 July 2021 so we can work to contain and isolate the spread of the virus while contact tracing is undertaken to identify any additional public exposure sites.
This follows on from one new locally acquired case being recorded in the NT and a number of public exposure sites being identified. The new case was a male worker who was already in quarantine at the Howard Springs Quarantine Facility when his positive test was returned. Seven cases have been linked to the Newmont Tanami gold mine cluster. Five cases are in the Northern Territory under the care of NT Health at the Howard Springs Quarantine Facility and two cases are located interstate.
The response from the Greater Darwin community has been fantastic and we thank those people impacted by the lockdown for doing the right thing.
All people in Greater Darwin are required to stay in their home or accommodation during the lockdown. There are only be five reasons to leave 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.
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.
It’s important that if you have any symptoms that you get tested for COVID-19, particularly if you have been in the Greater Darwin area since 21 June 2021. To arrange a COVID test, book online at coronavirus.nt.gov.au or contact the COVID-19 Hotline on 1800 490 484.
The drive-through COVID-19 testing site at the CDU Netball Stadium in Marrara is open to provide additional capacity for testing. Bookings must be made online and it is drive-through only. Car height limit of 2.5 metres. No taxis, motorbikes, trucks, bicycles or walk-ins permitted.
Quotes attributable to Chief Health Officer Dr Hugh Heggie:
“The situation in the Northern Territory is continuing to evolve, while our health teams working to undertake a large-scale contact tracing mission.
“So we can work to contain and isolate the spread of this virus, the lockdown in Greater Darwin will be extended for a further 72 hours to act as a circuit-breaker while we continue our contract tracing efforts.
“One new case of COVID-19 has been recorded today, taking the total number of cases associated with the mine cluster to seven. This person was undertaking quarantine at Howard Springs when their positive test result was returned and remains there under the care of NT Health.
“COVID-19 has made its way to the NT and it is vital that we get on top of this cluster early. The actions we take in the coming days, will be paramount to stop the spread of COVID-19.
“This requires a community effort right across the Northern Territory and we need each and every person in the Territory to do the right thing.
“If you’re not in the Greater Darwin area, now is the time to stay at home and reconsider attending any events or large social gatherings.
“As we’ve seen across Australia this kind of short and sharp action is effective in stopping the spread of COVID-19. We need to work together to get on top of this.