The remote Northern Territory town of Tennant Creek has been put into lockdown after recording four cases of COVID-19, Acting Chief Minister Nicole Manison says.
Key points:
- The NT's current outbreak has grown to 100 cases
- Two cases have been recorded in Yulara, a town near Uluru
- People who have visited Tennant Creek since December 10 must get tested and isolate
The lockdown is due to be lifted at 5pm on Monday.
"We have already launched a major public health response to deal with these," Ms Manison said.
The town, which is situated just under 1,000 kilometres south of Darwin, has been recording traces of coronavirus in its wastewater since the weekend.
There were eight new cases of COVID-19 recorded in the NT overnight, with six related to the current outbreak, bringing the total number of cases to 100.
Two of these cases were two resort workers in the remote Central Australian community of Yulara.
The vaccination rate in Tennant Creek is 83 per cent first dose, and 70 per cent double dose, Ms Manison said.
"The Barkly regional vaccination rates are amongst the lowest in the Territory, which makes the region more vulnerable."
Some communities in the region have double-dose vaccination rates below 20 per cent, according to data published by the NT government.
Exact vaccination rates for communities with clinics run by Aboriginal community-controlled health services are not publicly released, but they are listed as being below 70 per cent fully vaccinated on the NT government's website.
Ms Manison said the timing of the cases was "complicated" because many residents had started their Christmas leave and school holiday travel.
"This is a serious situation," she said.
"Tennant Creek is a major transit centre. There is a vast amount of movement in and out of Tennant Creek."
Under the lockdown rules, residents must stay home for the lockdown period and people are only allowed to leave home for the following five reasons:
- Medical treatment, including COVID testing or vaccination
- Essential goods and services, like groceries and medications. Only one household member should visit the store, once per day
- Essential work
- One hour of outdoor exercise per day, within 5 kilometres of home, with one other person or people from your household
- To provide care to a family member or person who cannot support themselves
Face masks must be worn outside of the home at all times in Tennant Creek and the Barkly local government area (LGA).
Non-residents in the Barkly LGA who wish to leave must get tested for COVID-19 and can apply to leave following a negative test result.
Test and isolate direction
All people who have visited Tennant Creek since December 10 must immediately isolate, get tested for coronavirus and remain in isolation until they receive a negative result.
Those who have since left the area and are on the way to another destination must stop at the nearest COVID-19 testing facility.
People who have travelled interstate after spending time in Tennant Creek in the past seven days are being encouraged to get tested for coronavirus immediately.
People must not enter the lockdown area, unless they are accessing essential services, such as buying fuel, or to transit through.
Member for Barkly Steve Edgington has urged residents to "cooperate with any directions bring given by police and government authorities".
"Remain calm and please do not panic buy from the [local supermarket]," he said in a post on Facebook.
"There is plenty of food available."
Low testing numbers and vaccination rates
Throughout the week, NT authorities had expressed concern over low testing and vaccination levels in the town.
On Monday, after only five people came forward for testing, Acting Chief Minister Nicole Manison said the lack of testing was "not good enough".
On Tuesday, NT Health Minister Natasha Fyles said: "Plainly and simply, we need Tennant Creek's vaccination rate to rise."
In contrast, testing and vaccination rates in Katherine have continued to improve.
More than 3,000 tests were conducted in the NT yesterday, of which more than 400 were taken in Katherine, Ms Manison said.
She said vaccination rates in Katherine had risen to 93 per cent single dose and 89 per cent double dose.
"I can't applaud the Katherine people enough for their great work of getting out and getting vaccinated," she said.
However, she said wastewater had continued to test positive to COVID-19 in Katherine East.
As a result, the mask mandate will remain in Katherine until 5pm on Monday.
Yulara cases
The coronavirus cases identified in Yulara are two fully vaccinated men aged in their 20s who were close contacts of a recent positive case in Brisbane.
They received a notification they were close contacts on Jetstar flight JQ667 from Brisbane to Yulara, and both tested positive to COVID in Yulara.
“There will be close contacts from that flight and that work is being done to determine who they are and they will be contacted,” Ms Manison said.
“At this stage, we believe the risk is very low.”
Timber Creek and Kalkarindji to exit lockout
Timber Creek and Kalkarindji will exit lockout at 2pm today, but a mask mandate will remain in place until 5pm on Monday.
The communities of Bulla, Lajamanu, Pigeonhole, Barunga and Beswick will remain under a mask mandate until 5pm on Monday.
"We know it's hot, it's sticky, it's uncomfortable … but masks are one of our best defences," Ms Manison said.
Anyone who is arriving into the NT from Queensland, where coronavirus cases have spread throughout the state, should get a rapid antigen test upon arrival, she said.
"We will be making those available at the airport," she said.
'Take personal responsibility': CHO
Chief Health Officer Hugh Heggie said the Katherine outbreak had demonstrated the virulence of the Delta strain, and urged all Territorians to get vaccinated.
Speaking in language, he urged residents in the Barkly LGA and in Yulara to "please get vaccinated".
"If you don't understand then go and speak to the clinic, the clinic mob will tell you a straight story, a true story, about this cheeky virus," he said.
Dr Heggie said it was time for Territorians to accept personal responsibility for managing the risk of COVID-19.
"If you're near somebody and they're too close to you, politely ask them to move away," he said.
"If you see people not using a check-in app, please remind them that this is our rule."
Police out in force in Tennant Creek
NT Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker said road checkpoints have been set up north and south of Tennant Creek.
"Don't be surprised if we pull you over to … understand whether you are moving around in compliance with any of the five exemptions."
Residents from Tennant Creek who want to get back home are allowed to enter the town, but they must abide by the lockdown rules.
"Don't send five or 10 people from the household to the supermarket," Commissioner Chalker said.
"Only send one person to get what you need over the next 72 hours."
Under the rules, restaurants will not be open for people to come and sit down for a meal — only takeaway meals.
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2021-12-17 02:02:54Z
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