Local businesses in Katherine, which were not considered essential, were finally able to re-open their doors on Monday after the town's lockdown transitioned into a lockout over the weekend.

Many had to close their doors for around two weeks, missing out on a significant amount of revenue during what is usually one of the busiest times of year - the lead up to Christmas.

Rod & Rifle Tackleworld owner Trent de With said he was able to open for just two hours on Saturday after the lockout was announced, before reopening properly on Monday.

"We were run off our feet for those two hours. It was really really busy. People just came to get out of the house and do something," Mr de With said.

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"And then this morning has been the same. It's been chaotic this morning, everyone just buying Yeti and Christmas presents and all sorts of stuff."

He said lockdown was a massive blow to the business, especially at this time of year.

"It was really tough. Leading up to Christmas, we go pretty hard on stock. First you've got to pay for it when you've got no money coming in. But secondly, nobody delivers stock to you because you're not open. So when you do open the doors, like today, I've got seven or eight pallets here plus a whole heap of random boxes.

"My five staff and I've got to try and power through in the next couple of weeks."

The Top Saddlery & Bush Boutique owner Julie Newton said the lockdown was especially hard on her staff, many of whom had to be stood down durin the lockdown.

"It's difficult when you employ people where you you can't keep paying them," she said.

"It also can be very confusing for businesses...trying to work out whether they're offering essential services or not. There's a lot of inequity there."

She said the NT Government's Territory Business Lockdown payments don't keep the bills as bay.

"Going on the guidelines, we will be eligible for $2,000 [but] that still that does not come up the wages of the people that we were able to keep him work during that time, letalone the rent and other overheads."

Ms Newton urged the community to do their Christmas shopping locally this year to help small businesses get back on their feet.

"Fingers crossed that everyone who lives here in Katherine will be thinking local, supporting all the local retailers."

Katherine Mayor Lis Clark said it was too early to hell just how bad the fallout will be for local busienses.

"I think it's been pretty tough all over for businesses, especially the ones that had to close because they weren't classed as essential. So I think they have really suffered this time," she said.

"It's still a little early to say how badly things are for some of those businesses."

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