Lockdown ends for Greater Darwin, extended for Katherine after no new cases

The Covid-19 lockdown has ended for the Greater Darwin area but has been extended for the Katherine region for another 24 hours.

UPDATE: The Covid-19 lockdown has ended for the Greater Darwin area but has been extended for the Katherine region for another 24 hours.

Greater Darwin came out of lockdown at noon Thursday as planned.

EARLIER: CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner has confirmed Greater Darwin will come out of lockdown at noon Thursday as planned.

It follows no new cases of Covid-19 being detected overnight.

Katherine will remain in lockdown for a further 24 hours and is on track to come out on Friday noon.

Abi Brill from the Tap Bar prepares for the venue to reopen at noon after the Greater Darwin lockdown was lifted. Picture: Glenn Campbell

A total 2403 tests were conducted on Wednesday with all tests returning negative. The number of close contacts has increased to 87, with all returning negative tests.

Wastewater testing for Darwin CBD returned a weak positive and for Katherine a firm positive.

For the next week until August 26 in the Greater Darwin area, masks must be worn in public and at work when you cannot maintain a 1.5m physical distance.

At hospitality venues, patrons entering must wear masks and must be seated. Once they are seated, masks can be removed.

Gyms will be closed for the next week and all close contact sports cannot go ahead until after August 26.

NT school students over 12 must wear masks at schools for the next seven days.

Private residences can have 10 people visiting, not counting residents at the home.

Anyone who leaves the Greater Darwin lockdown areas must adhere to these rules when not in a lockdown area, such as Alice Springs.

All these rules will apply to Katherine residents once the township comes out of lockdown.

EARLIER: NO new cases have been reported in the Northern Territory overnight, the NT News understands.

It comes after Chief Minister Michael Gunner struck an optimistic tone on Wednesday about the trajectory of the NT’s Covid-19 response, saying the numbers were pointing toward a reopening.

The lockdown of Greater Darwin and Katherine is scheduled to end at noon Thursday, but Mr Gunner and health officials have been keen to point out an extension is possible if the situation deteriorates.

The Chief Minister is expected to address the media later this morning.

Sources have told the NT News no new cases have been detected overnight.

No new cases have been reported in the NT overnight. Picture: Glenn Campbell

There are still some outstanding questions as to how the outbreak unfolded, with the NT government still awaiting genomic sequencing results which are expected to shine a light on exactly where the 30-year-old American man caught the virus.

The man still has not divulged his vaccination status, much to the frustration of Mr Gunner.

And wastewater testing results which were flown interstate were expected to be returned on Wednesday night, but Mr Gunner warned it was likely the result would be positive for traces of the coronavirus in both Katherine and Darwin, owing to the infected man’s visit there.

More to come.

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