The mandate, to help protect communities and limit the spread of COVID-19, also includes anybody travelling from Darwin, Alice Springs or outside the Territory.

Anybody from these areas wanting to travel to a remote community with low jab rates will need to receive a negative rapid antigen COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before entry.

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Low vaccination is classed as a remote community with a first dose vaccination rate of less than 70 per cent for people aged 16 and under.

The mask mandate and testing requirements apply to all communities with a low vaccination rate.

In the Big River region the communities are Kalkaringi, Lajamanu, Yarralin, Minyerri, Ngukurr, Urapunga and Wugularr.

In East Arnhem Land region they are Galiwin'ku and Marthakal.

The Central Australia region has the most low-vax sites listed on the Government coronavirus portal, with these being Pmara Jutunta, Engawala, Bonya, Atitjere, Kaltukatjara, Laramba, Wilora, Tara, Yuelamu, Papunya, Imanpa, Yuendumu, Aputula, Willowra and Mutitjulu.

In the Barkly region the communities who fall under the new directive are Ali Curung, Epenarra, Canteen Creek, Alpurrurulam, Ampilawatja and Urapuntja.

The new rules are in line with Doherty Institute modelling which have indicated remote communities would need a vaccination rate of 80 per cent of people aged five and over due to health vulnerabilities of community members.

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That benchmark won't be reached until a vaccination for people 5 years and older is approved, which could be next year.

"We know there are currently 30 remote communities in the Territory with a first dose rate below 70 per cent and we are doing everything we can to lift these rates," Health Minister Natasha Fyles said.

"Today we have seen four remote communities including Watarrka, Wallace Rockhole, Nyrripi and Ikuntji boost their first dose vaccination rates above 70 per cent and we look forward to seeing more communities follow.

"This outbreak shows we can't afford to be complacent when it comes to protecting our most vulnerable communities."

The government has announced locations in Darwin and Alice Springs as rapid antigen testing and distribution points.

The Royal Darwin Hospital Pandemic Clinic will be the Top End testing and distribution point, opening from 8.30am to 4pm daily

In Alice Springs, the Pandemic Coordination Centre will at 44 Bath Street from 8am-4pm Monday to Friday.

Rapid Antigen Tests approved for use include the Abbott Panbio COVID-19 Ag Rapid Test Device and the Roche SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Antigen Test.

After the test is completed, a copy of the result will be sent via SMS or a printed copy can be collected - both can be used as proof of a negative test.

Rapid Antigen Tests can also be completed at home or at work with people required to take a photo of their test result once complete.

If a positive test is recorded, testing officers will contact NT Health to arrange further testing to verify the result will be available to inpepret results and provide support.

Anybody in Katherine - which is currently in lockdown - who needs to enter a low-vax community will need to complete a PCR test and receive a negative result before travelling. Workers who frequently travel to remote communities can book-in to receive a weekly PCR test.

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