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ABC News
ABC News
Health

Gyms reopen, face masks optional as COVID restrictions ease in Greater Darwin and Katherine

Darwin's popular Mindil Markets will be allowed to re-open. (ABC News: Jo Laverty)

Remaining COVID restrictions lifted in Greater Darwin and Katherine at midday today.

The changes, confirmed by the NT government, mean markets, contact sport and nightclubs have now reopened.

Face masks are no longer required, and gyms are permitted to reopen.

While NT Health Minister Natasha Fyles welcomed the easing of restrictions, she flagged more lockdowns could be on the horizon for the NT as Delta outbreaks continue in NSW and Victoria.

"The virus is spreading in the east coast and on that eastern seaboard," she told ABC Radio Darwin. 

"With this new Delta variant, we've even changed the practices within the [Howard Springs quarantine] facility for people staying there, so we're able to manage that quarantining quite specifically."

New arrivals at Howard Springs are now being split into pods of 200 people to make it easier for health workers to isolate the facility in the event of an outbreak.

To further reduce the risk of a Delta outbreak in the NT, Ms Fyles urged Territorians to get vaccinated as soon as possible. 

"There are plenty of vaccine appointments available," she said.

"Don't think, 'Oh I'll wait, I'm not sure if I'm eligible.' If you're 12 and over, you're eligible. There is an appointment available for you."

NT health authorities have not found any new coronavirus cases in Greater Darwin and Katherine since the two regions were put into lockdown on August 16. 

All close contacts remain in quarantine and all tests have come back negative. 

The government has also said that daily wastewater testing in Greater Darwin and Katherine has returned negative results. 

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