Alice Springs has been ordered into lockdown from 1pm (local time) today despite no new cases being recorded in the Northern Territory.
The Central Australian city will go into lockdown for 72 hours, Chief Minister Michael Gunner has said.
Mr Gunner said the decision to lock down Alice Springs was prompted by a man from the Tanami mine site who spent time at Alice Springs Airport on June 25.
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The man arrived at the airport via a charter flight on the Friday morning and remained at the airport between 9am and 3.50pm.
He was tested for COVID-19 on June 26 after returning to Adelaide.
The result was not positive, but the man has since developed symptoms while in isolation and four of his household contacts have now contracted COVID-19.
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"For this reason, we believe he is positive for COVID-19 and we believe that he is highly infectious," Mr Gunner said.
"It is unlikely that he was highly infectious during his time at Alice Springs airport. But, like all our other decisions we will not take a punt on this."
Northern Territory Chief Health Officer Dr Hugh Heggie has confirmed it is the Delta variant of COVID-19 is loose in the NT.
"The genomic testing of these cases have been validated to be the Delta strain," he said.
"Highly infectious, infectious early on, sometimes maybe a shorter illness, but very infectious.
"Hence, the mask wearing. And there's going to be masks available in a number of outlets in Alice Springs."
Dr Heggie said authorities would work with multicultural groups and local Indigenous communities to ensure there would be an adequate supply of protective equipment.
Rules for Alice Springs lockdown
The new Northern Territory lockdown applies to everyone inside the Alice Springs town council boundaries, including town camps, Mr Gunner said.
Communities around Alice Springs that rely on the town for groceries and medicine are also included in the lockdown order, so they can travel in for essentials.
"But if you usually live outside of Alice Springs, like in a community but you are visiting in Alice right now, stay in Alice. Stay there, do not go home right now," Mr Gunner said.
"If it is critical, we will be able to help you go back to your home community."
Everyone in lockdown areas must stay at home and is only permitted to leave for five essential reasons.
People can leave home for medical treatment, including COVID-19 testing and vaccination; to get essential goods and services; for essential work; for one hour of exercise a day with one other person, or other members of your household, but no further than 5km from home; and to provide essential care and support.
People in the lockdown area will also need to wear masks outside the home.
Alice Springs Airport visitors told 'stay where you are'
Mr Gunner has urged people who were at Alice Springs Airport last Friday to not rush out and get tested – yet.
"If you were at the airport between 9am and 4pm on Friday, June 25, stay where you are," he said.
Health authorities are currently tracing the man's movements through the airport to determine close and casual contact areas.
"We believe that people who spent time at the departure side of the airport on Friday between 9am and 4pm, the café side, are considered as close contacts," Mr Gunner said.
"Being a close contact would mean you're under a stay-at-home order for 14 days, as are your household contacts.
"On the other side of the airport where you enter, that is currently considered a casual contact site.
"That means anyone on that side of the building needs to isolated and get tested and stay isolated until you get a negative result.
"The car park and drop off area are a low-risk site, meaning you only need to isolate and test if you develop symptoms."
However, he said further clarifications would be forthcoming in coming hours.
Don't panic buy
Mr Gunner has reassured Alice Springs residents against panic buying after ordering a snap 72-hour lockdown.
"Remember, supermarkets stay open. Our essential stores stay open, cafes and restaurants are open for takeaway," he said.
"We have no food supply issues in the Territory.
"The communities outside Alice who rely on Alice for their supply, you will not be impacted. We will work that through with you."
Darwin still set for lockdown exit on Friday
Chief Minister Gunner has indicated Darwin will likely come out of lockdown on 1pm this Friday, but that could yet change.
"The way I'd phrase it is, we still want to see some (testing) results back," he said.
"Having no new exposure sites puts us on a very good footing for 1pm Friday."
He said the Alice Springs lockdown situation was the government's current priority.
You can find out more details about how to book your vaccine through the Federal Government health site here.
