Howard Springs quarantine: Man returned after escaping

A man who scaled a fence to allegedly escape from Howard Springs overnight was on his 13th day of quarantine.

UPDATE: A man who allegedly escaped from the Centre for National Resilience was on his 13th day in quarantine.

Health Minister Natasha Fyles said it was understood the man was a close contact in the Katherine cluster, with police investigating the incident.

He was apprehended by police just before 10pm on Friday and has since tested negative.

The NT News understands he was found at a venue owned by Aus Venue Co, which owns Monsoons and Shenannigans along Mitchell St in the Darwin CBD.

“I’m extremely disappointed that this took place,” Ms Fyles said.

“The man absconded on day 13 of his quarantine period so he was extremely low risk but nonetheless that is not acceptable.

“We know that for some people being in Howard Springs can be frustrating. We know that getting tested and being in isolation can be frustrating but we need you to follow the rules. Those health rules are there to keep you, your family and your community safe and so that incident is extremely disappointing.”

Ms Fyles said there would also be inquiries into how the man absconded.

EARLIER: A MAN who was allegedly caught on CCTV scaling a fence to escape Howard Springs has been captured.

The 27-year-old was located at a bar on Mitchell Street shortly after midnight.

He was seen scaling a fence and being driven away by a white ute shortly before 6pm Friday.

He was required to take an urgent PCR test and received a negative result.

Police are investigating the incident.

CCTV footage showed the man leaving Howard Springs, being picked up in a white ute.