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The NT Government is providing a comprehensive community communications plan with respect to a "Contain & Test" strategy. They have asked that the ALC work together with them to get messaging out, so there is consistency and no confusion. The ALC is working with the police and NTG Health to bolster the local pandemic plan to include Contain & Test. This will include scenario planning specific to Groote.
ALC
A proposal for a 'contain and test' strategy for implementation on the discovery a COVID-19 case in a remote Aboriginal community, with attention to community decision making and control, and cultural safety. It outlines how households would be confined and tested, relocation of vulnerable people, restrictions on all movement between communities, plus delivery of food and support to households. The document also notes a number of key challenges.
Central Australian Aboriginal Congress and the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory
AMSANT and its member Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) raise a number of issues about the pandemic response in the NT, expressing concern about emergency plans which are more suited to cyclone response and which have limited input from and communication with community and Aboriginal Health bodies. The document makes suggestions about testing, evacuation, quarantine and community closures, and additional medical capacities.
Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance NT (AMSANT)
The NT has recorded a new coronavirus case, a traveller returning from overseas via Melbourne. The traveller completed hotel quarantine in Melbourne on arrival and has been self-isolating in Darwin since arriving in NT. This is the only known case in the NT and there continues to remain zero known cases of COVID-19 in the Groote Archipelago.
NT Government, Department of the Chief Minister, 'East Arnhem Covid 19 Team'
The Groote Eylandt Health/Chemist Store is now open from Monday-Friday 9am - 5pm, Closed 1-2pm for lunch and Saturday 9am - 12pm. Closed Sunday and public holidays
Groote Eylandt Health/Chemist Store
From midday Friday 3 July the ARC will open as a multi-use venue to Territorians only (Darwin FIFO and Residents). Territorians will be able to access the public area of the ARC. The public area will open daily, midday – late, with a limited food and bar menu. There is still a Darwin FIFO mess area that remains off-limits to residents. For full details see the attachment.
GEMCO
Responses from NT Aboriginal-controlled health services and Land Council leaders to the NT Government's plans to re-open the Territory borders on 17th July.
Following lifting of biosecurity zones, from midday Friday 19 June, NT-based FIFO personnel and Groote Eylandt residents can be considered as one group, called 'Territorians'.
Queensland-based and other interstate FIFO personnel will be called 'Interstate FIFO'.
All workgroups are required to continue wearing their colour wristbands (green, black, blue) and follow the rules for each category about access to the supermarket, shops, pool, gym, Golfie, Pole 13, private homes etc.
GEMCO Community (via their facebook page)
NT updates - still no active cases. Since 15th June, eased 'self-quarantine' conditions for interstate arrivals. However, self-quarantine is not allowed in Groote but must be in Darwin, Palmerston, Litchfield, Alice Springs, Katherine, Tenant Creek or Nhulunbuy.
NT Government, Department of the Chief Minister, 'East Arnhem Covid 19 Team'
Article about the new coronavirus testing machine
The Groote to Numbulwar ferry service resumes on Friday 12th June. For full details, see the attachment or SeaLink timetables.
SeaLink
By 5th June, all NT businesses must lodge a COVID-19 Safety Plan. See the link for the online COVID-19 Safety Plan checklist.
NT Government
NT moves to Stage 3 of (easing) restrictions. The main change for Groote is that quarantine is no longer required for entry or re-entry from outside our (former) Biosecurity areas; however, ALC permits requirement and GEMCO's FIFO arrangements remain. Eating out: "the Golfie will open ..., however the ARC will remain closed to the public and the Lodge has confirmed that they will remain delivery only at this stage". For full details, see the attachment.
NT Government, Department of the Chief Minister, 'East Arnhem Covid 19 Team'
Due to lifted COVID restrictions Barefoot Bus are re starting buses between Katherine and Numbulwar on Friday 05-05-2020. See Katherine Coaches Facebook page or their website for details.
Katherine Coaches / Barefoot Bus / Numbulwar Community News
