The frantic Territory-wide effort returning more than 1400 people home to remote areas has ceased after the Federal Government imposed further restrictions overnight.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Even residents must now complete a 14-day self-isolation before entering remote communities in an escalation of existing measures protecting the vulnerable populations.
The new restrictions began from midnight.
While details of how residents will demonstrate they've undertaken self-isolation are still unclear, a joint statement from Federal Ministers Ken Wyatt and Greg Hunt indicates support will be provided to facilitate that process.
"Following agreement from the National Cabinet, the movement into certain remote areas is being restricted to protect some of our most vulnerable Australians," the release said.
"There will be exemptions to the travel restrictions for people entering to supply and deliver essential services and Governments are working hard to make sure these essential services and supplies will continue to remote areas.
"Governments will support people who do not have appropriate alternate arrangements to self-isolate," it said.
Concerns have been raised this week about the poor access to resources driving people to leave community areas in the first place, but the Northern Land Council have nevertheless declared support of the measure and urged residents to stay put.
"The key principle guiding all the work the NLC has been doing since this virus outbreak, is that we must keep our mob safe," an NLC statement said yesterday.
"We've been hearing a lot of hard stories from people out bush... We have to stick together and get through this.
More reading: The return to country.
"Our message to our mob in the Top End is that the safest place for us is out bush and at home. If you live out bush, stay there," the NLC said.
At the time of writing, the full list of areas included in the restrictions are as follows:
Included Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the NT:
- Tiwi Islands
- West Arnhem
- East Arnhem including:
- the Town of Nhulunbuy unincorporated LGA areas
- and the Town of Alyangula unincorporated LGA areas
- the Town of Nhulunbuy unincorporated LGA areas
- and the Town of Alyangula unincorporated LGA areas
- the Town of Nhulunbuy unincorporated LGA areas
- and the Town of Alyangula unincorporated LGA areas
- West Daly
- Roper Gulf
- Victoria Daly (excluding the Pine Creek Ward)
- Barkly (excluding Tennant Creek)
- Central Desert
- McDonnell.
Excluded LGAs:
- pastoral properties not subject to exclusive native title
- the Local Government Areas of:
- Darwin
- Palmerston
- Litchfield
- Coomalie
- Wagait
- Belyuen
- Katherine
- Alice Springs.
- Darwin
- Palmerston
- Litchfield
- Coomalie
- Wagait
- Belyuen
- Katherine
- Alice Springs.
- Darwin
- Palmerston
- Litchfield
- Coomalie
- Wagait
- Belyuen
- Katherine
- Alice Springs.
Our COVID-19 news articles relating to public health and safety are free for anyone to access. However, we depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribehere. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.
