A WA parliamentary question addresses COVID-19 protocols and access restrictions for remote Aboriginal communities. The government acknowledges ongoing consultation and community-led restrictions.

AnsweredQoN 224Legislative Council
Asked
17 March 2020
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

CORONAVIRUS —
REMOTE ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES
224. Hon KEN BASTON to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the COVID-19 threat.
(1) Is a protocol
in place for non-essential staff, service providers and visitors entering
remote Aboriginal communities?
(2) Are there
currently any restrictions on non-residents entering these communities?
(3) If yes to
(2), how are they being enforced?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. I am advised of the following.
(1) National and WA advisory groups have been formed
to provide guidance regarding the COVID-19 response for Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander people. The matter of protocols concerning the accessing
of remote Aboriginal communities in WA is
under active consideration by the state government in consultation with
Aboriginal communities and organisations and is also being addressed through
the Council of Australian Governments process.
(2) There is no
current requirement from the WA government regarding entry to WA remote
communities. However, the government is aware that a number of remote
communities in the state have imposed their own access restrictions.
(3) Not applicable.

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