The Katherine Times will be bringing you rolling updates of the essential information you need to know during Katherine's third lockdown - so keep coming back to this story.

The town's lockdown has been extended until 6pm on Monday after new cases were announced and a Territory wide mask mandate was introduced until the same time.

Do you have a news tip? Are you open or closed? Has your event been cancelled or postponed? Send us the details at editor.kathtimes@austcommunitymedia.com.au

COVID-19 read more:

LOCKDOWN 3.0: Key facts

The number of COVID-19 exposure sites in Katherine was updated to 14 overnight. You can find the full list here.

Updated:12pm.

Chief Minister, Michael Gunner, at his press conference today said that the case at MacFarlane was a tutor and they had identified three close contacts, who are all adults. No children were so far close contacts.

Earlier; MacFarlane Primary School was also named in Tuesday's press conference by Chief Minister Michael Gunner as being a site, but no details have been posted yet.

The school has posted the following on social media:

Earlier this afternoon, the Chief Minister announced nine new cases in the Katherine region and that the lockdown in Katherine has been extended for seven days, until 6pm, Monday 22 November 2021.

Schools and early childhood education and care services in the Katherine region are only open to children of essential workers or vulnerable children, as well as those undertaking senior secondary school exams.

One of our staff members, who is fully vaccinated, has tested positive to COVID-19.

Those who are close contacts have been contacted by the Department of Health. I ask all our staff to please follow any advice provide by the Department of Health.

The school will be undergoing a thorough clean in line with directions from the Department of Health.

All students who attend MacFarlane Primary School are encouraged to get a COVID-19 test immediately.

The school will remain open only for children of essential workers or vulnerable children.

Students who attend school from tomorrow may be required to be tested upon arrival.

A mask mandate is in place across the NT until Monday 22 November 2021. A mask must be worn at all times when you are outside of your home and unable to maintain a physical distance of 1.5m of another person who you do not reside with.

If you're not familiar with Wilcannia, it is a remote town in New South Wales which had more than 100 cases of COVID-19 in August this year. More than 10 per cent of the town tested positive to the virus and, because of housing conditions, 30 motorhomes had to be brought in by the state government to help people isolate. It's a dire comparison for the Territory.

Labor senator Malarndirri McCarthy has called for immediate fixes to overcrowding in remote community houses. "How can people isolate when they're 15 to 20 people to a house for starters?"

Katherine and Robinson River have been declared hotspots for purpose of Commonwealth support

The hotspot declaration for the Municipality of Katherine is until 11,59 pm on November 22, while the Robinson River and surrounding homelands is until 11.59pm on November 18.

A hotspot declaration allows the Commonwealth to help provide PPE gear, support aged care, help with contact tracing, COVID testing, reprioritising vaccine supplies, facilitating COVID-19 Disaster Payments, telehealth services and childcare.

More details on the hotspots and restrictions can be found on the Northern Territory Government website.

NT Farmers AGM cancelled

NT Farmers has decided to postpone the AGM which was scheduled for this Thursday in light of the lockdown

A new date for the AGM should be set for December. If you have questions or would like to register to attend, contact pco@ntfarmers.org.au

Crank up the aircon, it's going to get hot. Not only is the "build-up", well, building up but there is going to be a week of 40 degree plus days. Have a look at what's in store.

A bit of non-COVID cheer with Garry Branson being recognised as the career firefighter of the year on Tuesday night. Way to go Garry.

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