Hundreds of workers who spent a fortnight confined to solitude at a remote desert worksite have been cleared to leave the Central Australian mine at the centre of a COVID-19 outbreak.

Flights are scheduled to land in Darwin, Brisbane and Perth throughout Saturday as part of the significant effort to get about 700 people home.

A coronavirus case at the Newmont-owned Granites gold mine, in the Tanami Desert north-west of Alice Springs, halted production at the mine and sent hundreds of employees into lockdown when it was diagnosed two weeks ago.

Authorities believe the employee who tested positive may have been infectious at the site for up to a week, setting in motion a coronavirus outbreak that grew to at least 19 cases as it spread across four jurisdictions.

Kerry Manthey, whose partner returned from the mine to Darwin on Saturday, said the past fortnight had been difficult.

"He's been gone a little bit longer than we expected, but the kids have been great," she said.

"Keeping his spirits up has been the hardest thing.

"You just take these things in your stride, I suppose, and we all just band together and get through it."

The mine's executive has already apologised for welfare concerns raised during the lockdown, saying the "extreme scenario" it was facing led to issues with communications and the supply and delivery of food.

NT Health personnel were sent to ensure compliance with infection control measures at the site, where workers isolated under strict protocols and undertook regular testing.

"It has been difficult for them," United Workers Union spokeswoman Erina Early said.

"We've had issues with the quality of food, having access to exercise, simple things like internet and stuff like that, which we probably all take for granted.

"They've been confined to their dongas, not being able to talk to people.

Alex Bates from Newmont Australia welcomed the release of the employees and thanked the health teams that oversaw the response.

"We have also had very helpful support from other states in responding to this incident and keeping our returning workers, their families and communities safe," he said in a statement.

"I would like to thank our employees and business partners for their patience and commitment during quarantine, which has been a difficult experience.

"We are completing a review of our processes and will share learnings with the broader industry to minimise future risks."

Newmont says it has a recovery plan in place and is working on a safe return to production.

Loading form...