What's happening?
Following on from the known cases, a mine worker in South Australia and his family tested positive for COVID-19. The mine worker flew from the Tanami gold mine on 25 June 2021 to the Alice Springs Airport and remained at the airport for seven hours before flying to Adelaide. The man was quarantined and tested but returned a negative test on 26 June 2021. After developing symptoms, the man was re-tested and returned a positive result today. His family have also tested positive.
The man was at the Alice Springs Airport on Friday 25 June 2021 from 9am to 4pm. The Airport and the Café will be listed as a COVID-19 public exposure site. These sites are being reviewed to see if they are close contact sites, causal contact sites or low risk contact sites and this will determine the quarantine, testing and monitoring directions the community will need to undertake. Times are still being determined by health authorities and people are requested to check the COVID-19 website for updates regularly. The list of NT COVID-19 Public Exposure Sites is at https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/stay-safe/case-location-alerts-and-public-exposure-sites
Taking short, sharp action is effective in stopping the spread of COVID-19 which is why the Alice Springs Town Council area and town camps have gone into lockdown. This will allow time to identify, trace and isolate any contacts.
What does this mean?
People who are currently in Alice Springs from surrounding communities, need to remain in Alice Springs at this time.
During lockdown, there are only five reasons to leave home: Masks must be worn at all times when leaving home. These include:
1. To receive health care or attend medical appointments. Including to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
2. To undertake shopping and get necessary goods and services. Supermarkets will stay open, so there is no need to stock up on groceries.
3. To exercise for up to one hour a day within 5km of your home and only with members of your household or one other person.
4. To undertake essential work. If you can work from home – you must work from home.
5. In case of an emergency or if there is family violence or to provide essential care to a loved one or dependent.
What about Congress services?
Congress clinics will remain open.
Congress Childcare will remain open for children of essential workers.
To keep up to date with the latest information ensure you continue to check the COVID-19 website to review the list of public exposure sites to ensure you are complying with the health directions. The list of public exposure sites (https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/stay-safe/case-location-alerts-and-public-exposure-sites) will be updated as new information is provided through contact tracing.
Vaccinations
To make an appointment for your COVID-19 vaccination, please call 1800 570 688.
COVID-19 testing
Congress clients can arrange a COVID test by calling 1800 514 400
Due to the current demand, rapid testing is only available in certain cases, especially for people who require testing under a CHO order or overtly symptomatic health professinals or community member.
