The NT's peak Aboriginal health groups send a scathing letter to Chief Minister Michael Gunner accusing the government of 'significant failure' managing the territory's COVID-19 outbreak and calling for more action.
"There has been a significant failure by government agencies in Central Australia to put into practice the plans agreed with your government before the outbreak," the letter reads.
"This has directly led to COVID spreading out of control in the Aboriginal communities of Central Australia and beyond." The letter is co-signed by Central Australian Aboriginal Congress acting CEO Josie Douglas, Central Land Council CEO Les Turner, Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance NT CEO John Paterson and Lhere Artep CEO Graeme Smith.
The authors say the call is "urgent" and write that "it is not too late to act" by introducing stronger restrictions. "This is our last chance to flatten the curve of new infections and hospitalisations and save lives that will otherwise be lost," it reads.Mr Gunner said although he "understood" why Congress and the other Aboriginal bodies were calling for stronger restrictions, a full lockdown in Central Australia would be challenging to enforce.