Call for rapid Covid-19 antigen tests for Kangaroo Island travellers
Rapid Covid tests should be used on visitors to stop the virus spreading on Kangaroo Island, a local tourism operator says.
Coronavirus
Don't miss out on the headlines from Coronavirus. Followed categories will be added to My News.
RAPID testing should be introduced to stop people with Covid-19 from spreading it on Kangaroo Island, an accommodation business owner says.
Rene Steyn is calling for answers on how community transmission will be handled once South Australia’s borders open on November 23, and what businesses will be required to do to stop the spread.
Her business, Emu Bay Holiday Homes, will only accept vaccinated travellers from December 1.
Mrs Steyn wants the state government to consider mandating rapid Covid tests for people travelling to the island. “We’re really busy but I’m worried – I don’t want to bring Covid to my staff and family,” Mrs Steyn said.
“That’s why I chose to go ‘no vax, no stay’ – it’s the only way I can try to prevent it.”
Mrs Steyn said businesses needed urgent answers on how they must operate after November 23 so they could plan, including details on the requirements for cleaning, isolation and contact tracing.
“If half, or even a couple of staff have to isolate, they’ll struggle to stay open,” she said.
“If all the businesses are closed, nobody will want to come and that will be a much more detrimental effect to visitation on Kangaroo Island than doing a rapid test.”
Kangaroo Island Tourism Alliance chairman Pierre Gregor said the region should not be treated as a special case but he would support rapid testing if the state government mandated it as “one rule for everybody”.
SA Health said aside from carefully guided use, such as for freight workers, the use of rapid antigen testing was still prohibited under the current directions.
“We are working to develop information for a range of businesses, including essential and non-essential sectors, in the event that a positive Covid case enters a business,” a spokeswoman said.
‘It can be fatal’: Health warning for SA babies as RSV spike climbs
A health alert has been issued to SA parents after a shock spike in RSV cases presenting to emergency rooms – with more than half being young children under the age of 5.
New emergency ‘threats’ putting SA at risk, landmark inquiry finds
The Covid pandemic, River Murray flood crisis, bushfires and statewide blackout were all declared major emergencies over past 20 years. Now, a major inquiry identifies new threats risking state.