Lockout extended for Alice
INDUSTRY bodies say the government continues to not consult or inform them when making major Covid-19 decisions after it was announced lockouts in multiple Territory towns would be extended.
The Territory recorded 314 new cases of Covid-19 overnight on Friday while lockouts in Alice Springs, Amoonguna, Yuendumu and Yuelamu have been extended for another seven days.
Meanwhile, the Central Australian community of Utopia has entered a sevenday lockdown, while Galiwin’ku’s lockdown has been extended for another seven days and Ski Beach has entered a seven-day lockout.
Wurrumiyanga on the Tiwi Islands also entered a seven-day lockdown from 2pm on Saturday.
Health Minister Natasha Fyles said the extended lockout in Alice Springs was due to the movement of the virus throughout the community, including into Town Camps.
“We are seeing small case numbers popping up in a large number of communities,” she said.
“So to residents in those town camps, please be extra cautious, get your vaccination.”
But Hospitality NT chief executive Alex Bruce said there was again no consultation with industry.
“It’s disappointing that measures that look more targeted to scaring people to stay in their homes are favoured over any action on the rampant crime wave sweeping Alice Springs,” he said.
Ms Fyles said there were “serious concerns” for the Central Australian community of Utopia, where 22 new cases were recorded overnight and only about 40 per cent of residents were fully vaccinated.
“We really need the residents of Utopia to please come forward and get vaccinated,” she said.
“It’s not too late. Our health teams will not be asking you questions, they simply want you vaccinated.”
Ms Fyles said she also held “strong concerns” for the community at Wurrumiyanga about the potential for social unrest in the wake of the lockdown due to an upcoming large funeral.
As of Saturday morning, Ms Fyles said 63 Territorians were in hospital with Covid-19, one of whom was in intensive care and six were receiving oxygen.
She said while the sevenday rolling average for case numbers was “looking very positive”, it was too early to say they had peaked.
“We certainly have flattened that curve, and as long as we manage to keep flattening that curve, we’re going to see cases,” she said.
“We can’t stop Omicron. It’s in every part of the Northern Territory, but if we’ve got a highly vaccinated population, if we can slow that spread, our health resources and our services can match the demand.”
Several hundred protesters took to the streets on Saturday afternoon to protest against the vaccination mandate. Among those seen at the rally was CLP Senator Sam McMahon, saying she wanted to get “the feeling of the community”.
“I’m pro-vaccination. I’m fully vaccinated, but I support people’s right not to be if that’s their choice,” Senator McMahon said.