The NT records 60 new COVID-19 cases and will bring in a mask mandate tonight.
The Northern Territory has recorded 60 new COVID-19 cases, its highest daily total to date, Chief Minister Michael Gunner has confirmed.Chief Minister Michael Gunner says there has been a growing trend of community transmissionThere are 24 people with COVID-19 in hospital and none in intensive care.
Mr Gunner said 16 were interstate arrivals, 18 were close contacts of previous cases and 11 are community transmission."The past 72 hours there has been a growing trend of community transmission," Mr Gunner said. "We had one case of community transmission on Wednesday, four cases of community transmission yesterday and at least 11 cases of community transmission today."
Mr Gunner said authorities assumed all cases of interstate arrivals and community transmission cases were Omicron."I know the timing of the mandate is not ideal coming into New Year's Eve, but the fact is tonight will be a social one a night where people gather in large numbers," Mr Gunner said.“We want to make sure that we minimise the risk of potential spread tonight of the virus, you can still go out, we want you to go out.The mask mandate has no end date.
People in the NT will need to wear a mask while indoors unless they are eating, drinking or 1.5m away from others.The new mask rule will also apply to people travelling in taxis and in public transport, as well as workplaces.Mr Gunner said people at home or at a friend's house wouldn't have to wear a mask, and it wouldn't be required for people playing indoor sport, under the age of 12 or children at primary schools.
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