Calls to close Uluru airport and park due to ‘unacceptable risk’ of flights from coronavirus hotspots

MUTITJULU community, inside the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, has called for the closure of the local airport and national park as it fears that flights will come in from coronavirus hot spots

The closest hospital to Yulara is hundreds of kilometres away in Alice Springs

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THE community of Mutitjulu, inside the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, has called for the closure of the local airport and national park as it is in fear of flights set to come in from coronavirus hot spots.

The Mutitjulu Community Aboriginal Corporation has made the request in letters to NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner and the park’s board of management, and informed the federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, Ken Wyatt.

MCAC chair Gloria Moneymoon said plans for flights from Victoria and NSW hotpots to continue from August poses an unacceptable health risk to the community’s residents.

“Those people who want to fly here should just not come because we don’t want that pika (sickness) here,” she said.

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

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

MCAC CEO Thalia Bohl-van den Boogaard said Mutitjulu residents with complex health issues use the nearby tourist resort at Yulara near the local airport for shopping.

“I realise the economy is in need of support but people’s lives should come first,” she said.

“There’s plans in place but because of overcrowding, once the virus gets in there is no stopping it. There is no hospital here either and the closest hospital is in Alice Springs,” she said.

There are no quarantine facilities at Yulara, and asymptomatic visitors who should be quarantining in Alice Springs, are likely to come in contact with community members.

Already, visitors of the park have ignored self-quarantine rules, further reinforcing the need for travellers to undertake mandatory supervised quarantine before arriving in Yulara.

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MCAC director Craig Woods said flights to Yulara defeat the purpose of keeping people from hot spots contained.

“People’s lives are more important than money,” Mr Woods said.

“Indigenous people suffer more from chronic disease than other citizens. This virus is not good for our people. Please postpone your holiday, stay home and keep the Mutitjulu community safe.”

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