Coronavirus: 'Really think' before travelling to remote communities

The Northern Land Council has backed the NT government's decision to restrict non-essential travel to remote locations, while the state's health professionals have called for better distribution of information.

No cases of #COVID19 in NT's 72 remote Aboriginal communities & 500 homelands

No cases of #COVID19 in NT's 72 remote Aboriginal communities & 500 homelands. | Image supplied by Moriarty Foundation's Indi Kindi program. Source: Indi Kindi | Twitter

NLC employees who have recently travelled overseas will not be permitted into NT remote communities, unless cleared, in an effort to contain the spread of coronavirus to those most vulnerable. 

It comes following the state Government's decision to cancel all non-essential remote trips. 

“We want people to really think about their need to visit remote communities," NLC chairman Samuel Bush-Blanasi said.

"Especially if they have returned from an at risk country they must not travel to Aboriginal communities and must take every precaution."

Meanwhile efforts to prevent and restrict the virus have been welcomed by the NT's Danila Dilba Health Service, but its CEO Olga Havnen said more focus needs to be placed on getting accurate information to those most vulnerable. 

Ms Havnen said proper hand hygiene and updated, calm information on the virus need to be the focus. 

"We are already making plans, pamphlets to be distributed," she said. 

"We need to get the message out through social media, radio, television, however we can reach our communities."

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By Rachael Hocking
Source: NITV News


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