Katherine's lockdown extended after Northern Territory records two new local COVID-19 cases

The lockdown in Greater Katherine has been extended for a further 48 hours after two new local COVID-19 cases were recorded in the Northern Territory today.

Both cases are from Katherine - a 33-year-old mother of a primary school student, whose child has since tested negative twice, and a 67-year-old man.

A third case was detected in an international repatriation.

READ MORE: NT communities enter 'hard lockdown' after nine COVID-19 cases discovered

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said wastewater test results indicated further cases of COVID-19 were likely to be found in Katherine.

"We're still expecting more positive cases," he said.

The lockdown in Greater Katherine has been extended for a further 48 hours to 6pm on Wednesday.

Mr Gunner also announced Robinson River will come out of lockdown immediately and will instead transition to a lockout.

"A lockout means fully vaccinated residents are able to move about the community freely while wearing a mask and must stay within the Robinson River area, which includes the surrounding home lands," he said.

Mr Gunner said it was expected that Robinson River would have restrictions until December 1.

He said the high vaccination and testing rates in the community had made the difference to get the town out of lockdown.

"Robinson River has shown all Territorians how a lockdown can be done and won in the remote community," he said.

Four of the 37 cases of COVID-19 in the latest outbreak in the Northern Territory are now in hospital, while none are in intensive care.

Fines for people who escaped Binjari's hard lockdown

Acting Northern Territory CHO Charles Pain confirmed no new cases had been found in Binjari, which was sent into a hard lockdown on Saturday night, meaning residents are only allowed to leave their homes for medical help or an emergency.

Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker said about eight residents from Binjari left the town "late yesterday under the cover of darkness".

He said the escapees walked through a backtrack and got to Katherine before they were caught.

Six adults were each given $5024 fines.

Mr Chalker said compliance from people in Binjari had been solid by the majority, urging anyone who needs anything such as food to make contact with police and government staff on the ground.

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Hundreds of public servants stood down over vaccination status

Mr Gunner said the Northern Territory's public service vaccination rate was at 98 per cent following the first deadline for the vaccine mandate.

He said around 400 public servants' employment was ending due to their vaccination status.

"A small number of these are frontline roles that will be filled with new hires, but overall, there will be a reduction in the public service of about 300 positions," he said.

Mr Gunner said the reduction in public service staff numbers was a saving to the budget wage bill of about $30 million a year.

"This means that we can revise and improve the public service wages offer that's currently on the table," he said.

"This morning, I have written to all members of the public service with a new four-year wages policy.

"It is a $4000 lump sum bonus in the first year and an annual $2000 bonus for the remaining three years."

Ban on unvaccinated entering NT

A ban on people not vaccinated against COVID-19 arriving in the Northern Territory has today taken effect, while rapid antigen tests are now being required for people arriving from red zones.

Mr Gunner said some delays were expected at the airport due to the new change.

"It's the first day, so some teething problems are to be expected," he said.

Death at Howard Springs not related to COVID-19

Dr Pain has confirmed a man in his 40s died inside the Howard Springs facility last night, saying the death was "completely unrelated to COVID".

"That is clearly being investigated and I think at the moment it would be inappropriate to say anything more," he said.