Calls intensify for ban on non-essential travel to Kangaroo Island amid fears of COVID-19 outbreak
Thousands of people have joined calls to ban non-essential travel to Kangaroo Island, in a bid to protect locals from a COVID-19 outbreak.
SA Business
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA Business. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Ask the experts: Your COVID-19 questions answered
- McLaren Vale cafe finds niche market following COVID-19 crisis
More than 2800 people have joined a call to close Kangaroo Island to non-essential travellers, as the movement’s leader speaks out about a “lack of gutsy leadership”.
A senior Kangaroo Island doctor has also joined the call but said the State Government should go one step further and enforce travel bans across the state.
Former mayor Peter Clements started the petition to restrict movement to the island after approaches from medical staff and debate among residents.
There are no known cases of coronavirus on the island, and locals are desperate to use their separation from the mainland to keep it that way.
Mr Clements believes most Kangaroo Island residents want travel restricted to essential trips, such as for freight, medical needs and emergencies.
“The information I’m getting is that the majority of people on Kangaroo Island are looking to sacrifice their way of life to stay safe,” he said.
“I’ve noticed a distinct lack of gutsy leadership from our politicians and that they’re just not making decisions that are strong enough.”
Mr Clements said the island only had two ventilators and no intensive care unit in its hospital.
“We have a few doctors and they are going to be run off their feet. Just dealing with visitors is going to be a huge strain on the system,” he said.
Dr Tim Leeuwenburg, who has practised on the island since 2004, said community transmission would continue while the Government gives advice only and “fails to mandate nor enforce social distancing and travel restrictions”.
“I would support a move for the Government to mandate all unnecessary travel to cease … allowing a chance for detection cases, isolation and contact tracing,” he said.
“The message to all Australians should be ‘stay home’ and travel only for shopping, medical needs or essential work.”
About 2890 people have signed the Kangaroo Island petition, which calls on Premier Steven Marshall to act on locals’ concerns.
Mayor Michael Pengilly said people should stay away from the island – but that message should not be enforced with a ban.
He said almost half of all landowners lived on the mainland.
“How can you say to people who pay rates don’t come to the island?”
“I’m saying as much as possible, nothing’s open, everything has shut down. Don’t even consider coming here and just camping because there’s nowhere to camp.”
Kangaroo Island Tourism, Wine & Beverage Association Pierre Gregor believed creating one rule for the region, and another for all others, could be legally problematic.
“It would probably have to be one in, all in,” he said.
Apart from the impact of an outbreak on the medical system, locals were also worried about the island’s high proportion of older residents being particularly vulnerable.
MORE NEWS
Key camping park sites shut down in coronavirus control measures
SA Police won’t enforce new two-person-gathering rule but possible crackdown over Easter
Asked whether the Government was considering a travel ban – or would rule it out – a spokeswoman for Premier Steven Marshall said the Government acted on chief public health officer Nicola Spurrier’s advice.
“South Australians should stay at home – we have to be very careful about large groups of people from Adelaide travelling to certain areas across the state,” she said.
Associate Professor Spurrier did not comment on a travel ban specifically, but said people should stay home at Easter.