‘Stuff it, shove it’: Chief Minister’s heated spat on anti-vaxxers

The lockdown in one area of the Northern Territory has been extended because the government is ‘still expecting more positive cases’.

The lockdown in the Northern Territory town of Katherine will be extended until Wednesday evening, officials say.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said on Monday the restrictions would last for another 48 hours, until 6pm Wednesday.

He said the decision was made because 1300 test results were still outstanding and because more people have likely been infected.

“We are still expecting more positive cases,” he said.

The Katherine lockdown has been extended by 48 hours. Picture: Amanda Parkinson

Two new local Covid-19 cases were recorded in Katherine on Monday; one being a 67-year-old-man and the other a 33-year-old mother who was a close contact of a confirmed case.

Her child has tested negative twice so far.

Mr Gunner said her positive test could explain why there were continual positive traces in Bicentennial Rd wastewater catchment area, but it was “highly likely” other positive cases were in the area.

He also announced Robinson River would immediately move out of its lockdown and into what he called a lockout.

“A lockout means fully vaccinated residents are able to move about the community freely, while wearing a mask, but must stay within the Robinson River area which includes the surrounding homelands,” Mr Gunner said.

The update came as Mr Gunner had a heated spat about anti-vaxxers, telling people who supported others not to get the Covid-19 jab to “shove it” even if they had it themselves.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner lost his cool. Picture: Julianne Osborne

The leader became visibly irritated when pressed on his stance on anti-vaxxers at Monday’s press conference.

The Chief Minister dubbed any person who supported or championed others not to get the jab an anti-vaxxer, regardless if they themselves were double dosed or not.

“If you give a green light, give comfort to, support anybody who argues against the vaccine, you are an anti-vaxxer. Your personal vaccination statues is utterly irrelevant,” he began.

“There are people actually supporting the idea of a teacher being unvaccinated in a remote community classroom with kids who can’t be vaccinated. I reject it.

“If you’re out there in any way, shape or form campaigning against the mandate, then you are absolutely anti-vax.”

During his heated rant, Mr Gunner said the vaccination mandate was “absolutely critical” to saving lives.

The Woolworths supermarket in Katherine has been listed as a new exposure location. Picture: File image

“If you say pro-persuasion, stuff it. Shove it. We are absolutely going to make sure as many Territorians as possible are vaccinated,” he said.

“I will never back away from supporting vaccines, and anyone out there who comes for the mandate, you are anti-vax.”

The NT government said a third infection was also detected on Monday in a person who had arrived from overseas and who was in quarantine.

The Centrelink in Katherine has been listed as a new close contact site.

Those who visited the Second St office between 9.40am and 10.30am on Monday, November 15 are required to undergo testing and self-isolate for 14 days.

Anyone who has been to one of the following sites during the allocated times is considered a casual contact and must get tested and stay isolated until a negative test has been received:

• Coles Express at 30 Katherine Terrace on Thursday, November 18 from 10.25am to 10.45am
• Commonwealth Bank at 19 Katherine Terrace on Monday, November 15 from 11am to 11.30am
  
• Katherine Central Shopping Centre at Katherine Terrace on Friday, November 19 from 4.30pm to 5.30pm
  
• Woolworths at 5 Katherine Terrace on Thursday, November 18 from 10am to 10.20am and Friday, November 19 from 5pm to 5.20pm