No new cases as Marshall accepts border ‘heartache’
Premier Steven Marshall says he hopes to restore a buffer zone for Victorian border communities but says NSW’s border with SA will remain closed.
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South Australian Premier Steven Marshall says he will discuss restoring a border buffer zone with Victoria but the NSW border will stay closed.
Mr Marshall says he “fully accepts the heartache and frustration” caused by restrictions for cross-border communities but is standing firm on them for now.
“We are continuing to look at the border arrangements here in South Australia,” Mr Marshall said.
He hopes to revert back to the 40km buffer zone “very soon” and is expected to discuss the issue with the Victorian Premier this afternoon.
As COVID marshals come into force on Friday in South Australia, the state will keep its borders closed to New South Wales for the foreseeable future despite NSW recording just one new coronavirus case in the past 24 hours.
There are no plans to lift the 14-day mandatory quarantine with NSW and ACT yet.
From today, businesses face a $5000 fine if they do not have a designated marshal. Businesses or organisations with fewer than 200 people can have an existing staff member also acting as a marshal, while those with more than 200 must have someone specifically acting in that role.
As SA recorded no new cases on Friday, Mr Marshall said he’s pushing his WA and Tasmanian counterparts to lift border restrictions to SA.
Following Friday’s national cabinet meeting, Mr Marshall said he was unsure why those jurisdictions did not open their borders to the state.
“We would not pose a threat with the current level of infection in SA,” he said.
“I know it's enormously frustrating for businesses but importantly for families who are dislocated due to these arrangements.”
Under the current restrictions, South Australians can return from Queensland, Tasmania, Western Australia and the Northern Territory without self-quarantining for 14 days.
However, it is not reciprocated with WA and the ACT where those travellers or returning residents must isolate in those jurisdictions.
“I would love to see that restriction lifted,” Mr Marshall said.
“Tasmania has indicated they’re looking to do that in December. I’d love for it to be much sooner.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison today warned closed borders were not a substitute for an adequate testing regime.
“Outbreaks can occur in states that have (closed) borders. Quarantine arrangements won’t always be perfect,” he said.
Mr Morrison said “further progress” had been made on streamlining the patchwork of border rules, and highlighted the Queensland government’s decision to help sick people cross the border for medical care.
“I welcome the decisions by the Queensland government ... which has eased restrictions for accessing health services for people who are coming out of hot spots and also expanding the border zones and additional post code areas,” he told reporters.
Mr Marshall is premier is calling for Tasmania and Western Australia to open their borders to the state, saying SA residents posed no threat.
MORE TO COME.