As of last night, further Kimberley travel restrictions are now in place. There are new boundaries, in line with the four local government areas: Broome, Derby, Wyndham and Halls Creek. Residents have been urged to stay within their area. A nursing team has also been sent to Broome Hospital to assist with COVID-19 response. For the full details, please access the full media statement from the Premier’s office here.
WA travel restrictions come into place from midnight Tuesday
This was first published on Friday 27th March here.
New intrastate travel restrictions come into effect from midnight, Tuesday, March 31
Western Australians will not be permitted to leave their regional boundary
Exemptions will apply for reasons including work, to attend medical appointments, and compassionate grounds
The McGowan Government will introduce further restrictions on travel within the State from midnight Tuesday, to assist in reducing the spread of COVID-19.
From midnight Tuesday night (12am Wednesday morning), restrictions will be placed on travel within the entire State of Western Australia.
Western Australians will not be permitted to leave their regional boundary. Police have the power to enforce these restrictions if necessary, and fines of up to $50,000 can be issued.
Exemptions will apply in circumstances including employment purposes; medical or veterinary reasons; delivery of essential services including health or emergency services; people living across regional boundaries, who may not have access to groceries or supplies immediately within their region; transport of goods; compassionate grounds; a family member has primary care responsibilities; for school, TAFE or tertiary study reasons; to escape domestic violence or due to an emergency.
The regional boundaries mirror those of the regional development commissions. Due to their close proximity, the Perth and Peel regions will combine into one region. See map here
Other regions are South-West, Great Southern, Goldfields-Esperance, Mid-West, Wheatbelt, Gascoyne, Pilbara and Kimberley.
Additional restrictions to remote Aboriginal communities were announced by the Aboriginal Affairs Minister, to provide extra protection to these vulnerable communities.
Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan:
"These are extraordinary times, and we have a responsibility to implement extraordinary measures to protect Western Australians, and stop the spread of COVID-19.
"It is absolutely vital that Western Australians abide by these restrictions, to help protect themselves, their family and the wider community.
"This is an important measure that will help us stop the spread.
"We are all in this together. I urge everyone to do their duty as Western Australians, and cease all travel within the State.
"Everyone has a responsibility to do the right thing and we expect all Western Australians to heed the message. However, police will enforce the law to those who choose to ignore it.
"My message to Western Australians is this - stay home, do not travel within WA, and please continue to observed the social distancing rules.
"We have announced this today to give everyone a few days to make their own necessary arrangements and return home."
Premier's office - 6552 5000
Coronavirus resources
Binarri-binyja yarrawoo (backbone for Empowered Communities East Kimberley) and Kimberly Aboriginal Medical Service (KAMS) have put together a bulletin of critical information about COVID-19. You can read the bulletin and stay on top of all the current resources here: http://kams.org.au/covid19-resources/
Stay safe and informed about COVID-19
In these difficult times, Aarnja is concerned about the well-being of Kimberley Traditional Owners, especially those who are elderly, unwell or more vulnerable. We are committed to seeing that our communities and families remain safe and protected during this crisis.
Earlier this week, the state government released a series of ‘Remote Aboriginal Communities Directions’. These include restricting all non-essential travel to remote communities. Anyone in breach of the Directions may be fined up to $50,000 (for individuals) or $250,000 (for bodies corporate).
Yesterday, the Federal Government also issued a ban on non-essential travel to remote communities. Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt said the measures would be implemented "as soon as possible".
Here in the Kimberley, this affects our ability to travel to remote communities for work, meetings, birthdays or funerals. As such, Aarnja’s staff will be working solely from the Broome office. We also understand that the Kimberley Land Council has cancelled all of its meetings, including native title applicant and claim group meetings, until after 23 May 2020. If PBC directors decide to hold meetings, these meetings must not breach the Remote Communities Direction.
We are unsure about how this affects school children coming home early from boarding school, but we will endeavour to keep you updated as soon as we get more information.
The government will also be working with Aboriginal communities to develop their Community Pandemic Plans.
We urge everyone to practise good hygiene, like frequent hand-washing and social distancing. Try and keep at least two big steps from anyone coughing or sneezing. If you do have flu-like symptoms, have recently been overseas, or have been in contact with someone who has the virus, make sure you let the clinic or KAMS know. KAMS recommends calling health centres, clinics or hospitals prior to going.
We’ll keep you posted with more updates through the week.
URGENT: Access to remote communities restricted
BREAKING: ALL NON-ESSENTIAL ACCESS TO REMOTE ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES BANNED
There will be exceptions, like access for medical reasons, emergencies and obtaining essential services and supplies. But under new rules announced TODAY, anyone else may not enter. People within remote communities must stay within the boundaries of those communities.
This restrictions will be enforced with a $50,000 fine. Please see the full details here: