Mr King is a multi-talented actor, artist, and visual and performing arts manager at Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts and Culture Centre, and as Katherine woke up to another 72-hour lockdown on Friday morning, he stressed the importance of vaccination in protecting the community.

"It's moments like these when you really need to rethink your stance," Mr King said.

"Let's hope that this passes quickly and there's no more transmission - go and get vaccinated."

Mr King said although he was a firm believer in people's right to choose, he also believed people have a responsibility to society.

"I totally agree with the mob who say you should be able to have a choice, but when it comes to things like this, I think you've got to realise that you're part of a community and you have responsibility," he said.

"I don't think people realise community doesn't mean Aboriginal communities around the town. It's the whole of Australia. We're part of a society, and you have got to do your bit. "

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While the current lockdown is in some ways a relief to him as it means shutting the gallery and getting time to finish some projects he is 'getting behind on', Mr King said he knows from friends in the arts sectors across Australia who don't have it so good that living in Katherine he has had it easy.

"They've lost so much work, and they are going mad being at home all the time," he said.

"We've been lucky up in the Territory because we've had minimal lockdowns, minimal exposure, but because of that comes a carefree attitude. I think people are being a bit cavalier about it.

"Even people that want to be vaccinated or don't have a stance on vaccination - still aren't vaccinated.

"That cavalier attitude is going to be the catalyst for spreading this through a community that is not prepared - because we've just been chilling out in the sun."

Mr King has played the Northern Territory queen, Constantina Bush, since 2008. She's based on the strong women he knew in Katherine growing up.

In September, Constantina Bush teamed up with the Northern Land Council (NLC) and the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance of the NT (AMSANT) to make a cheeky video encouraging all Territorians to get the COVID-19 jab.

"I am not going to be responsible for spreading or taking the sickness to anybody, and I like overseas travel as well, which is why I got vaccinated straight away," Mr King said.

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The Katherine Art Prize is the most significant art prize in the Northern Territory, and the launch is scheduled for November 19, but Mr King is worried an extended lockdown will impact this important local event.

"I hope everybody does the right thing and the lockdown passes to enable the Katherine Prize to go ahead," he said.

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