Lockdowns in Remote Communities Could Spark Serious Mental Health Issues: Police Commissioner

The border between the Northern Territory and South Australia outside of Kulgerra, Australia on Oct. 20, 2015 Mark Kolbe/Getty Images for The World Solar Challange

Northern Territory Police Commissioner Jamie Chalkner has warned that hard lockdowns in the communities of Binjari and Rockhole, both on the outskirts of Katherine, may have a serious effect on the mental health of residents.

This comes after Chief Minister Michael Gunner ordered lockdowns for the two communities on Saturday night following the detection of nine new COVID-19 cases in Binjari, a community of around 220 people 18 kilometres southwest of Katherine.