FIFO workers pose ‘real risk’ of spreading COVID-19 to remote communities, says concerned AMA NT

THE Australian Medical Association’s NT arm has expressed concerns about fly-in fly-out workers who are granted exemptions to travel into the Territory potentially spreading COVID-19 to vulnerable remote communities.

The Australian Medical Association’s NT arm has expressed concerns about fly-in fly-out workers who are granted exemptions to travel into the Territory potentially spreading COVID-19 to vulnerable remote communities.

UPDATE:

The NT president of the Australian Medical Association said the association is “reassured” policies around travel exemptions for FIFO workers are adequate for protecting Territorians from COVID-19.

Dr Robert Parker told the NT News on Thursday that the reassurance has come out of a discussion with the NT’s Chief Health Officer.

EARLIER:

THE Australian Medical Association’s NT arm has expressed concerns about fly-in fly-out workers who are granted exemptions to travel into the Territory potentially spreading COVID-19 to vulnerable remote communities.

AMA NT president Dr Robert Parker said although no new cases of COVID-19 had reached the Territory through FIFO workers, potential spread of the virus was an ongoing concern.

“The FIFO stuff has been happening for the last couple of weeks and there’s been no new COVID cases,” Dr Parker said.

Glencore’s McArthur River Mine is in proximity to remote communities. Picture: Supplied

“It’s difficult because if people have to self-isolate they can’t work.

“However, the real risk for the Territory is if someone does bring COVID in and it reaches a community.”

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Dr Parker said the AMA was particularly concerned because of the proximity of some mining sites to remote communities, including Glencore’s McArthur River Mine near the community of Borroloola, and Rio Tinto’s mine on the Gove Peninsula.

“If it does go into our remote communities there could be a high rate of mortality,” Dr Parker said.

“It’s a balance between economic necessity and the potential risk to the population.”

Rio Tinto’s mine on the Gove Peninsula is another project the AMA NT is concerned about. Picture: Hartley-Allen Daniel

Primary Industry and Resources Minister Paul Kirby responded to community concern about this issue earlier this month, announcing all fly-in fly-out workers would need to have a detailed COVID-19 plan approved by the Chief Health Officer before they could enter the Territory.

The plan must demonstrate that the company has established protocols that ensure the workers present minimal risk of spreading COVID-19 to the other workers or the broader community.

“Shutting down these businesses completely will have a devastating impact on the Territory,” Mr Kirby said.

Primary Industry and Resources Minister Paul Kirby. Picture: Justin Kennedy

Minerals Council Australia NT executive director Drew Wagner agreed that the continuation of mining operations was necessary for the Territory economy.

“All of the stimulus package and all of the things that get us out when this is over are just as important as what’s happening now,” he said.

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Mr Wagner said FIFO workers travelling from interstate were not required to isolate, but were subject to strict movement and testing regulations.

“(The regulations) are very extensive in regard to inter and intrastate travel,” he said.

Minerals Council Australia NT executive director Drew Wagner. Picture: Steve Keough Photography

A Rio Tinto spokesman said interstate workers at its Gove mine were “subject to strict isolation controls at work and at the Gove House residential facility”.