‘Take your masks off’: Northern Territory to ease tough Covid-19 restrictions after gold mine outbreak

Tough Covid-19 restrictions that plunged parts of one jurisdiction into lockdown will be completely lifted within hours.

Residents in Greater Darwin and Alice Springs can “take your masks off” with Covid-19 restrictions lifting at 1pm on Friday.

Northern Territory health authorities previously flagged the date because it was 14 days from the detection of the first positive case.

Greater Darwin and Alice Springs were plunged into lockdown after an outbreak stemmed from the Tanami mine.

One infected person entered the NT from Queensland and spread the virus to more than a dozen people across four jurisdictions.

As a result of the outbreak 25,000 Covid-19 tests had been administered since June 26.

Greater Darwin and Alice Springs were plunged into lockdown, leaving streets empty and businesses closed. Picture: Helen Orr / Getty Images

NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner said Territorians did a “fantastic job” in following the health directions and “doing the right thing”.

“Our lockdown has worked in trapping the virus and Territorians have helped to contain this outbreak within two weeks,” he said.

“You can take your masks off. You can go back to the gym. You can line up for a laksa at the markets. And if you really want to celebrate, you can even hit the dancefloor tonight at Monnies.

“Thank you to 99.9 per cent of you for being the best.”

Mr Gunner also announced the 700 close contacts on the Tanami mine site had all returned negative final tests.

Darwinites queued at testing facilities during the past two weeks, where 25,000 tests were conducted since June 26. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Under NT restrictions, face masks had to be worn in public when social distancing was not possible.

A mandatory mask-wearing order was also in place for places like supermarkets, shopping centres and hairdressers as well as on public transport, taxis and ride-share services.

There was a cap on home visits, with a maximum of 10 guests being permitted at the property.

Hospitality venues were only allowed to operate with seated service.

Indoor exercise, like gyms, pilates and yoga studios, were closed and only non-contact sports were permitted.