Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has introduced strict biosecurity zones preventing travel to and from dozens of remote communities in the Northern Territory amid escalating COVID-19 cases.
The measure, announced in a media statement on Wednesday night, will remain in place until February 17.
It will broadly cover the Northern, Central and Tiwi Land Councils regions, and will allow movement to continue within specific community wards, as agreed with the Land Councils.
The biosecurity zones were requested by the NT government, and are supported by Land Councils, the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance of the Northern Territory (AMSANT) and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), the media statement said.
It comes after the NT recorded its third COVID-19 death — an Aboriginal woman from the remote community of Mutitjulu near Uluru.
The designated zones include:
Barkly:
- Alpurrurulam
- Alyawarr
- Patta
Central Desert:
- Akityarre
- Anmatjere
- Daguragu
- Northern Tanami
- Southern Tanami
MacDonnell:
- Iyarrka
- Ljirapinta
- Luritja Pintubi
- Rodinga
Tiwi Islands:
- Ward of Bathurst Island
- Milikapiti
- Pirlangimpi
East Arnhem:
- Ward of Birr Rawarrang
- Ward of Gumurr Gattjirrk
- Ward of Gumurr Marthakal
- Ward of Gumurr Miwatj (with exclusions)
- Ward of Gumurr Miyarrka
Roper Gulf:
- Kuwarrangu
- Never Never
- Numbulwar Numburindi
- Nyirranggulung
- South West Gulf
- Yugul Mangi
Victoria Daly:
- Ward of Timber Creek, excluding the Jiylinum Community Living Area and Marralum Outstation
- Ward of Walangeri
West Arnhem:
- Gunbalanya
- Maningrida
- Minjilang
- Warruwi
West Daly:
- Nganmarriyanga
- Thamarrurr/Pindi Pindi
- Tyemirri
Meanwhile, several communities remain under lock-in restrictions imposed by the Northern Territory government.
They include:
- Milikapiti in the Tiwi Islands
- Milingimbi in East Arnhem Land
- Palumpa in the West Daly region
- Ampilatwatja in Central Australia
- Elcho Island
- Wessel Islands
- Lajamanu
The lock-ins are due to last until 2pm, February 6.
