Jamie Chalker reassures Alice Springs residents that contingency Covid-19 plans are in place
Alice Springs has avoided locking down with parts of the Top End, but there are contingency plans in place if the chief health officer’s advice changes.
Centralian Advocate
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CONTINGENCY plans have been developed for Alice Springs in the event that Covid-19 spreads to the town, following the positive case registered in the Top End on Sunday night.
At least half of the people staying at the Todd quarantine facility will be leaving in the coming days as their 14 days of supervised quarantine comes to an end.
NT Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker on Monday reassured Alice Springs residents that there would be ample space at the facility if more people were required to quarantine.
“We’ve got some contingencies developing there,” he said.
“At least half of their capacity will be moving out in the coming days, so we’re in a pretty good spot in that regard.”
Meanwhile, a flight from Darwin is due to arrive in Alice Springs on Monday evening, hours after Greater Darwin and Katherine was plunged into a 72-hour lockdown.
An NT Health spokesman said all passengers arriving would be screened, and further action would be taken if anyone on-board presented a risk to the community.
Early voting for the Alice Springs town council elections has been suspended until 12pm Thursday, as is the case with all local government elections across the Territory.
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“I think that’s a very smart move, because the election would create a close contact situation for people,” Mayor Damien Ryan said.
He said the council were at the ready should the chief health officer’s advice change in regards to Alice Springs.
“We have had the experience before,” he said.
“We work with our staff all the time, and we are ready for any decisions that may happen in relation to a lockout.
“We’re ready to swing in behind whatever direction is given by the chief health officer.”
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