Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation (BAC) represents the interests of more than 500 members in Maningrida and surrounding homelands.

Today the Board has supported a recommendation to suspend tourist and contractor visits to BAC businesses, which include the Maningrida Art Centre and Bábbarra Women’s Centre.

It also asked that all staff cancel non-essential travel to and from the community in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

CEO Ingrid Stonhill said remote Aboriginal communities are home to some of Australia’s most vulnerable people and BAC will do everything in its power to protect them.

Staff who are currently returning to Maningrida via Darwin will be asked to fill out health declarations that identify where and when they recently travelled, and all will be required to self-isolate in Darwin prior to returning to Maningrida.

While it is likely that BAC’s decision will have some financial repercussions through the loss of tourism dollars to the business, it is insignificant compared to the potential consequences of coronavirus reaching Maningrida.

BAC also acknowledges that both the NT Government and the Northern Land Council have also called for the cancellation of all non-essential travel to Maningrida.

Media contact: Ingrid Stonhill, CEO, Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation 0889796558