COVID-19: Darwin Lockdown

Extra Coronavirus (COVID-19) Discussion
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Victoria has upgraded the risk designation to areas of the Northern Territory, including Greater Darwin and Katherine, which will become red zones also at 10 pm tonight.

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South Australia closed its border to Northern Territory north of Central Desert and Barkley local government areas (excluding East Arnhem LGA), at 6pm local time tonight. This includes Greater Darwin and Katherine.

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Health authorities said the infected man spent several days in Darwin before driving to Katherine on Sunday.

(NT Health Minister Natasha Fyles) said the government had identified about 65 close contacts and had been in contact with ā€œall of them apart from a handfulā€. She also said the government had spoken to about 200 of 250 casual contacts identified.

Ms Fyles said two key close contacts ā€” a taxi driver and Uber driver from two separate trips on Thursday and Friday ā€” have been identified.

UPDATE: NT recorded zero cases yesterday with 1,846 tests conducted. Chief Minister Michael Gunner said the initial caseā€™s infection was detected through a day 17 test which is mandatory for people who arrive in the NT and have recently finished hotel quarantine. Gunner said the man was re-tested to confirm the infection, and that test came back more positive that the first, which meant his infection was caught early, and he was more infectious in Katherine than in Darwin.

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Wednesday 18 August -
NT recorded no new cases yesterday. 84 close contacts have been identified and are in quarantine while 12 have left NT. 480 casual contacts have been directed to isolate.

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Some restrictions will remain in the Top End after the lockdown ends.

  • Masks will be mandatory in public when you canā€™t physically distance from people at work, in taxis and public transport.
  • Hospitality venues will only be able to serve seated patrons
  • Close-contact community sport is off for another week
  • Markets and gyms will be closed for a week
  • Gatherings at homes will be limited to 10 people, not including household members

Michael Gunner has declared both Sydney and Canberra Airports as hotspots. The initial case flew from Sydney to Darwin via Canberra.

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This morning Michael Gunner announced Katherine would exit lockdown at 12pm local time, after NT recorded no new cases overnight.

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