MOUNT Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin has urged South Australian Premier Steven Marshall to tighten border control measures across the Limestone Coast to help safeguard the region from future COVID-19 cases.
The city’s leader raised her concerns during a video conference between South Australian mayors and Mr Marshall on Wednesday night, championing the regional issue which has been of significant community concern since border patrols were initiated.
Wednesday night’s meeting followed Mr Marshall’s announcement regional travel was now encouraged within South Australia as part of the state’s road map to gradually lifting COVID-19 restrictions.
With new cases of COVID-19 occurring in Victoria over the last two weeks, Ms Martin said she was apprehensive about the lack of patrols on the Portland-Nelson Road.
In recent weeks, visitors to The Border Watch Facebook page have also highlighted several methods motorists could be using to avoid the border checkpoint established on Mount Gambier’s eastern fringe.
“Given the recent outbreaks in Victoria it does heighten my concerns about not having tighter controls on the border near Nelson,” Ms Martin said yesterday.
“The fact it is not controlled is a real concern because regional travel is now being encouraged and we are a tourist destination.”
Ms Martin said the premier responded to her concerns by stating South Australia’s police commissioner supported the tightening of border control methods across the state.
Also a hot topic during the conference was the lifting of further restrictions at an earlier date than the planned June 8 timeline.
The state leader reportedly told mayors he would canvass the potential of moving into Stage 2 of the road map before the June long weekend.
“Those restrictions are set to be lifted on June 8, but he said he would take it up with the Chief Medical Officer to see if they could be eased before the long weekend,” Ms Martin said.
“Since people are being encouraged to travel to the regions during those holiday periods, it makes sense, however it will all depend on how we go between now and then in relation to the spread of the virus.”
Ms Martin said it would be a small boost for the hospitality industry.
“There would still be restrictions on numbers and social distancing, but at least some of those hospitality businesses would be able to provide a service over that long weekend,” she said.
“I actually spoke with the premier personally earlier in the week about the way forward and I reiterated the concerns of the hospitality industry.
“He made it clear that he is continuing to take advice from health authorities on how to move forward.”
Ms Martin hoped a clearer picture of what the future looks like will be available soon.
“The hospitality industry will obviously be heavily regulated and they need information on how they will be able to operate,” she said.
“In fairness to those businesses, they need that information soon to have time to get set-up for the regulations that will be in place.”
Reflecting on the open discussion, Ms Martin praised the State Government and Local Government Association for being transparent during these unprecedented times.
“It’s been really helpful the LGA have facilitated this communication with the State Government,” she said.
