Burke Shire Council has announced tough travel restrictions in the isolated shire on the Gulf of Carpentaria near the NT border and banned meetings of more than 10 people.
With limited facilities at the local hospital to deal with an outbreak, and with Mount Isa 500km away by bitumen roads, the Shire's Disaster Management Committee has taken drastic measures to keep COVID-19 out of the community.
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They said Rex Airline would stop flying to Burketown from March 21 and the Burke Shire would enter lockdown for non-essential travel.
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"The only contractors allowed in town will be for essential services and they will have to self-isolate," Council's Disaster Management Committee said in a statement.
"Burke Shire residents who travel outside the community will be required to self isolate for 14 days on their return."
Residents who fall sick outside the community will be required to remain there until they are well.
The Council has also banned gatherings of more than 10 people.
Council defined self isolation as staying at least two metres away from fellow residents, not sharing cups, glasses, utensils, towels, or pillows, not sharing a bed and avoiding visitors.
"You can go outside but keep your distance from people not in isolation."
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Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
