COVID-19 Updates & Information

Last Updated: May 28, 2020

We Are In This Together

We are closely monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and taking strong measures to keep our staff, members, community, clients, and stakeholders safe and informed.

COVID Phase 2 regional travel restrictions are easing further, commencing Friday 29 May. This decision is based on the latest health advice for Western Australia. Travel to remote and vulnerable communities remain prohibited to protect residents and Commonwealth biosecurity areas, including Broome, are set to be lifted on Friday 5 June.

Latest MAC News & Announcements

25 May 2020: WA Government Latest Updates Key Announcements
25 May 2020: WA Government COVID-19 WA Roadmap
13 May 2020: Media Release $14.4 million package to support tourism industry and jobs
10 May 2020: WA Three Phase Plan COVID-19 WA Roadmap
26 March 2020: Media Release West Pilbara leaders unite on COVID-19 prevention systems

Important Fact & Information Sheets

DOWNLOADS & LINKS:

For crisis, emergency and relief grants:

Temporary closure of MAC office

In an effort to help slow the potential spread of coronavirus in the West Pilbara, and in the best interests of our staff, members and community, the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation offices are closed as of Monday 30 March 2020.

A critical operations continuity team is now in place and will work from home with the responsibility of maintaining as much of MAC’s operations and programs as possible.

Until further notice, all communications need to be via email, telephone or over video conference platforms such as Zoom, Skype or Microsoft Teams. No face to face meetings are to be held unless approved by the CEO.

The MAC office phone number (08) 9144 4112 has been diverted to the critical operations continuity team members’ phones who will manage all calls accordingly.

A weekly MAC staff phone conference meeting will be held every Thursday at 9am during the office closures for the latest news and updates regarding MAC operations.

MLSU Rangers will continue to conduct daily patrols of the Murujuga National Park unless advised otherwise.

Communication

We will communicate regularly with our members, stakeholders, and clients as normal via email, telephone and text message with all updates.

Policies and Plans 

We are continuing to regularly update our staff on the latest guidelines on the coronavirus situation. Our Executive Management Team has formed a COVID-19 Response Policy and Action Plan.

WA Restrictions on Non-Essential Travel

The State Government has announced formal restrictions will be implemented on non-essential travel within Western Australia from 12.01am on Tuesday, March 31. Western Australian intrastate travel is defined as movement through the boundaries of the regions of Western Australia. These regions are:

Perth and Peel (due to their close proximity, the Perth and Peel regions will combine into one region)
South West
Great Southern
Goldfields-Esperance
Mid-West
Gascoyne
Pilbara
Kimberley.

Formal restrictions are already in place for the Kimberley.

G2G Pass – Electronic Licensing System for Travel exemptions

The G2G Pass system is now available online here. We all have to do our bit to keep our loved ones, communities and country safe. If you need to travel, apply for your G2G PASS in advance. If your application is successful the G2G PASS app will help you get where you need to go, fast.

For the most up to date information please see below;

Coronavirus Health Information Phone Line: 1800 020 080 (24/7)

We know that there are many unknowns during this current time, but we want to assure you that we’re monitoring the pandemic closely, following government updates, and doing all we can to keep serving you in the safest possible way.

Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any queries or concerns on (08) 9144 4112.

Support is also available to you and your family from;

Lifeline (13 11 14) and,
Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636 or online chat).

What is Corona Virus?

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness caused by a new virus. Symptoms range from a mild cough to pneumonia. Some people recover easily, others may get very sick, very quickly. There is evidence that it spreads from person-to-person. Good hygiene can assist in preventing infection.

Symptoms

Coronavirus symptoms range in seriousness. People with coronavirus may experience:

Fever
Coughing
Sore throat
Fatigue
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

How it spreads

The virus spreads from person-to-person. The virus is most likely spread through:

Close contact with an infectious person.
Contact with droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze.
Touching objects or surfaces (like doorknobs or tables) that have a cough or sneeze droplets from an infected person, and then touching your mouth or face.

What you can do

Practising good hand and sneeze/cough hygiene and keeping your distance from others when you are sick is the best defence against most viruses. You should:

Wash your hands for 2 minutes frequently with soap and water, before and after eating, and after going to the toilet.
Cover your cough and sneeze, dispose of tissues, and wash your hands.
If unwell, avoid contact with others (stay more than 1.5 metres from people).

Where to seek help in the West Pilbara?

Call your GP or remote health clinic for advice if you have flu-like symptoms.
If you have flu-like symptoms AND have recently been overseas (last two-weeks) or have been in contact with someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19 call the coronavirus hotline on 1800 020 080 (24/7) for advice, then present to your nearest emergency department.
If unable to obtain assistance from the above two option, contact MAC for urgent medical assistance on (08) 9144 4112.
If you have serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing, call 000 for urgent medical help.

Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation (MAC)