The NT's peak Aboriginal health group has criticised the government's decision to reopen borders before January, amid concern that if a member of a remote community contracts COVID-19 from an arrival, the virus may spread quickly in the community.
The head of the NT's Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance has criticised the government for opening its borders before January, amid fears the Territory's"endemic overcrowding" issue could cause an"explosion" in COVID-19 cases.
“There is no doubt that overcrowded housing, if there is a positive case, will spread among a household,” Mr Paterson told SBS. However, they will need to return a negative PCR test within the 72 hours before entering the territory, a second test within the first three days of arrival and a third test on day six.
Members of these communities will only be allowed to leave their homes for five essential reasons - medical treatment, an hour of outdoor activity, shopping for essentials, essential work and to provide care or support. “We need to address those underlying issues, why are these people transient in our communities,” he said.Northern Territory Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker.Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker blamed alcohol as the "root cause" for people to choose a transient lifestyle.“It’s not accommodation and in some cases it’s not food it’s alcohol that’s the root cause of that problem,” he said.
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