Alice Springs into lockdown for three days over airport Covid scare

There are fears the virus may have infiltrated the Red Centre, with Alice Springs to enter a three-day lockdown.

Alice Springs has entered a three-day lockdown after a miner who has tested positive to Covid-19 transited through the town’s airport.

The man spent seven hours at the airport, mainly in the cafe and bathrooms.

“This (lockdown) relates to a man from the Tanami mine site who spent an extended period of time at Alice Springs airport on Friday 25 June,” NT chief minister Michael Gunner said.

He travelled to Adelaide on June 26 and returned a negative Covid, test but his wife and three of his four children have since tested positive, the chief minister said.

South Australian authorities later confirmed follow up testing revealed the miner was in fact Covid-positive. It is unclear why his initial test was negative.

The lockdown will last 72 hours and begin at 1pm local time today.

Alice Springs has commenced a three-day lockdown.

While there were no new cases in the last 24 hours in the Territory, Mr Gunner said the miner has put the community of Alice Springs on alert.

“We believe that he is highly infectious,” he said.

“It is unlikely that he was highly infectious during his time at Alice Springs airport. But, like all other decisions, we will not take a punt on this.”

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said authorities believe the miner is ‘highly infectious’. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“Right now, we believe people who spent time at the departure side of the airport are considered as close contacts.”

There are particular concerns the virus, if in the community, could spread to indigenous townships, home to some of the most vulnerable Australians.

“If you usually live outside of Alice Springs, like in a community but you are visiting in Alice right now, stay in Alice,” Mr Gunner said.

“Stay there, do not go home right now. If it is critical, we will be able to help you go back to your home community.”

In March last year the NT government created a plan to manage any outbreaks of Covid-19 if they were to spread to remote communities.

The risk to Aboriginal people is considered “severe”, which has triggered a major response, including in Western Australia where people were told not to travel to the communities.

Meanwhile, the Adelaide family that tested positive has been isolating in South Australia since Saturday.

They’ve been moved to a dedicated health facility.