Covid case at NT mine site a reminder to stay vigilant

The Covid-19 case at the Tanami mine site is a reminder to all of us just how close the NT can be from another virus-enforced lockdown.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner addresses the media on Saturday about a NT mine worker who has tested positive to Covid-19. Picture: Glenn Campbell

• ‘We are all at risk’: NT Chief Health Officer Hugh Heggie urges Territorians to be vigilant after Covid case at Territory mine

THE Covid-19 case at the Tanami mine site is a reminder to all of us just how close the NT can be from another virus-enforced lockdown.

While the Territory has largely escaped the pandemic unscathed, when compared with our southern counterparts, the risk is still there of an outbreak.

The Delta strain has caused havoc in Melbourne and has now sent Sydney into a lockdown. If anything, those incidents should remind us not to be complacent.

The highly infectious nature of the strain has put all of the previously effective measures put in place to keep us safe in doubt.

This doesn’t mean we need to panic. But it does mean we need to stay vigilant and remember to wash our hands and socially distance when out in public to minimise the risk of contracting the virus.

Here in the Territory we have been lucky to enjoy a “normal” dry season and attend events which were more like the pre-Covid days.

Nearly 45,000 people attended the GleNTi Festival a few weeks ago.

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Many thought this time last year that events of that nature would be off the radar for years. And it could very well be the case events like that may come into question.

The Territory could ill-afford to have an outbreak of that nature in the middle of the dry season.

Major events, including the Darwin Cup Carnival and the Darwin Festival, are only a few weeks away and any lockdowns, would cause a huge financial hit to those event organisers.

But as it stands Territorians can still have trust in NT Health and the contact tracing system which has so far done its job.

It also reinforces the need for Territorians to get vaccinated.

As Territorians found out during last year’s lockdown, there is no need to panic buy, and the reports of toilet paper flying off the shelves late on Saturday afternoon is not a good sign.

As chief health officer Hugh Heggie said, we are all at risk at the moment.

Territorians can’t take the free lifestyle we have enjoyed for granted.

We must take precautions and set the right example for others to follow.

For those caught up in the Tanami lockdown, our thoughts are with you.