Uluru community calls for airport to stay closed to stop coronavirus spread

The community of Mutitjulu, inside the Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park, has written to state and federal governments to delay the 1 August reopening of a nearby airport due to fears of coronavirus transmission.

It is feared that those flying in from hotspots could endanger vulnerable residents, as they use the nearby tourist resort at Yulara for shopping. Source: AAP

The Mutitjulu Community Aboriginal Corporation (MCAC) has written to the Northern Territory’s Chief Minister Michael Gunner and the federal Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt in a bid to delay the resumption of flights to the red centre.

The group said the 1 August date poses an unacceptable risk to the community’s residents.

“The government should close the airport and the tourists should go somewhere else,” said MCAC chair Gloria Moneymoon.

“It’s still too dangerous for us to accept visitors from high-risk places.”

Housing at Mutitjulu Community near Uluru in the Northern Territory. Source: AAP

It is feared that those flying into the Connellan Airport from hotspots in New South Wales and Victoria could endanger vulnerable residents, as they use the nearby tourist resort at Yulara for shopping.

There are no quarantine facilities at Yulara, so those flying in from hotspots will have to be transferred almost 450 kilometres to Alice Springs.  

“Indigenous people suffer more from chronic disease than other citizens,” MCAC director Craig Woods said.

“This virus is not good for our people.

“Please postpone your holiday, stay home and keep the Mutitjulu community safe.”

National park could close if concerns are not heard

The Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park has been jointly managed by traditional owners and the Australian government since 1985.

The board that governs operations is made up of eight traditional owners, two people nominated by the federal government, one by the territory government and the Director of National Parks.

The Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park has been jointly managed by traditional owners and the Australian government since 1985. Source: AAP

This group could shut-off tourist access to Uluru if the airport is not closed, says the MCAC.

“We have asked the board to close the park if the government does not close the airport and cancel all flights until further notice,” Ms Moneymoon said.

“We are encouraged that the board supports our request."

Northern Territory extends hotspot list

The Northern Territory government has added a new region to its blacklist on Monday, banning visitors from the Eurobodalla Shire in NSW.

The region that includes Batemans Bay joins Greater Sydney and the entire state of Victoria on the quarantine list.

“This means anyone arriving from Batemans Bay, Greater Sydney or Victoria will go into a supervised facility like Howard Springs for 14 days and will be charged $2,500,” Chief Minister Michael Gunner said.

“I have been upfront with people about the fact that our COVID-19 response will change quickly.”

“Hotspots can be added without notice, and you are seeing that today.

“No more two-day warning, when we need to declare a hotspot, it will happen straight away.”

The Batemans Bay Soliders Club had been linked to eight cases of coronavirus on Monday.

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