Darwin and its surrounding areas have been locked down for 48 hours after six COVID-19 cases linked to a central Australian mine were discovered.

June 28, 2021

Northern Territory authorities fear a COVID-19 outbreak linked to a central Australian mine could grow further as Darwin and its surrounding areas start their first full day of lockdown.

The snap 48-hour lockdown started at 1pm on Sunday after 900 workers left Newmont’s Granites Mine about 540km northwest of Alice Springs, where a Victorian man had earlier tested positive.

Health Minister Natasha Fyles confirmed there were a total of six infections linked to the mine and more are expected.

“It is moving quite quickly and that number is likely to rise today. We’ve said to Territorians to be prepared for that,” she told ABC radio on Monday.

About 400 fly-in, fly-out workers travelled in recent days to Brisbane, 250 flew to Perth and 29 headed to South Australia, with 244 remaining in the Top End.

NT authorities moved fast to track down those people who stayed but were unable to make contact with about 20 until Sunday evening.

Ms Fyles labelled it a “big step forward” for the territory in its outbreak fight.

“The Northern Territory is certainly facing its first serious COVID threat since the pandemic,” she said.

“The 48-hour lockdown is about a short, sharp lockdown so that we can get on top of it and we did receive good news last night.”

Authorities believe the cases are likely to involve the highly contagious Delta variant.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner on Sunday said one of the positive cases had travelled to NSW and was being managed by authorities there.

The most recent positive case was identified in Queensland.

A close contact of one of the miners, who lives in Palmerston, south of Darwin, has also tested positive to COVID-19 while in the Howard Springs quarantine centre.

The Victorian man who triggered the outbreak came to the NT via Brisbane, where he stayed in a quarantined hotel. He has been moved to the Howard Springs facility after testing positive.

Meanwhile, Darwin, Palmerston and Litchfield local government areas, and Wagait and Belyuen Shires have entered a full lockdown for 48 hours, with anyone leaving their home required to wear a face mask.

Residents are only permitted to leave home for medical treatment, to obtain essential goods and services, for work considered essential, one hour of exercise a day or to provide care.

The next government update is expected about midday. The lockdown ends at 1pm Tuesday.