Mandatory vaccinations for border crossings from next Monday

SA Health has vowed to make vaccinations mandatory for border crossers on Monday. But community leaders say one vital barrier must be cleared first for that not to cause mayhem.

The new requirements for people in border bubble communities wanting to cross the border in SA to have at least one Covid-19 vaccine dose will come into force in seven days – but community leaders say they urgently need more vaccines to make that viable.

Chief public health officer Nicola Spurrier said on Monday the new rules would be enforced from next Monday, October 11.

“We’re looking at bringing in a mandate for border crossing requiring a vaccination – we’re looking at bringing that in about seven days,” she said.

But Mount Gambier MP Troy Bell said walk-in clinics should be established in Mount Gambier and Port MacDonnell to help boost local vaccination rates – similar to those set up in Adelaide.

“I’d like to see that as a focus for the state government over the next 4-6 weeks,” he said.

“Those that live near the border could be prioritised with those facilities.

“The Victorian situation is getting worse by the day. I’m asking for a concerted effort to boost vaccination rates in Grant District Council and Mount Gambier city.”

Grant council chief executive Darryl Whicker said his district had been unfairly labelled as having the country’s worst vaccination rate, amid a lack of clarity on the data.

“It’s not a local government process and we have very little influence in vaccinations other than to support the messaging,” he said.

Mr Whicker said it was not good enough that many months into the vaccination roll-out, there was uncertainty over how the data was collated.

“We’d like to see the data to see if there’s a supply issue, is there apathy in the community – we need accurate data first,” he said.

However, there there were no obvious indications that the local community was not receptive to vaccination but there was evidence it was still difficult to get an appointment.

He supported calls for local walk-in clinics or “even just a two or three week blitz”.

About 76 per cent of eligible adults in Mt Gambier city have had their first shot.

There were moves in late August to bring in the directive, but confusion and backlash saw authorities backflip on that instruction.

The original direction published on Friday, August 27, required those travelling between SA and Victoria from on border community permits from September 24 to have had at least one Covid jab.

Authorities backflipped the following Monday and had, until now, remained tight lipped on when the direction would be reissued.

Grant Council chief executive Darryl Whicker said if cross border community members were required to have had at least one jab, health authorities must shore up supply first to enable people to comply.

Meanwhile, Friday, December 3, is looming as the date that South Australians may finally reach the 80 per cent vaccination rate and start to enjoy increased Covid-19 freedoms.

Official projections show SA Health forecasts reveal the state is expected to hit the double-vaccination target three weeks before Christmas.