SA’s Victorian border closure rules too confusing, Liberal MP says
A Federal Liberal MP says SA’s tough new ban on cross-border towns entering the state is too confusing for many residents who can’t get to health appointments, work or school.
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Confusing rules around border closures in regional South Australia are leading to heightened anxiety, a Federal Liberal MP says.
Barker MP Tony Pasin, who represents voters in the border communities most affected by the closures, has told The Advertiser he is being bombarded with calls from frustrated, upset and confused residents who are used to crossing the borders daily.
“It’s an extremely challenging time to be living in a cross-border community,” Mr Pasin said.
“The number of calls and emails to my office seeking assistance bears testament to the fact that residents are struggling to understand the directions set out by the State Government.
SA Health said there were no new cases on Tuesday, and one more person had recovered, meaning SA has seven active cases and 451 people have been cleared of COVID-19. SA’s total stands at 462 cases.
Mr Pasin said he is hearing many “very real stories” of health, education and employment being disrupted and people’s lives turned upside down with uncertainty.
“It’s encouraging to hear that this is only a short-term measure, and that exemptions are available,” he said.
“But my concern is that lack of clarity and that delays in processing these exemptions is leading to heightened anxiety for many who depend on cross-border travel into South Australia.
“I hope that cases involving significant hardship are given special consideration during this difficult time.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has urged the states to take action on issues affecting border communities across the country, while SA prepares to introduce tougher new controls.
From Friday, Victorians near the border can no longer travel into SA for work, school or shopping and may only enter if they are deemed an essential traveller.
On Monday a State Government spokesman said it recognised the impacts of restrictions across the nation.
“However, the State Government’s number-one focus is on keeping the people of South Australia safe and strong, and our border restrictions are a major part of that.”
“Exemptions are considered on a case-by-case basis.”
Meantime, Tiarnee Dyer, mother of Mabel Dyer, 2, wrote to Mr Morrison last week asking for his assistance to get approval for Mabel to travel from Kaniva to Adelaide for appointments and potential surgery for her hip dysplasia.
She will have her pelvis X-rayed at Naracoorte this week, which will determine whether she needs to travel to Adelaide for surgery.
Deputy Chief Public Health Officer Michael Cusack said if Mabel needed to be seen at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, “we will make sure that she is able to get there”.
On Tuesday morning, Health and Wellbeing Minister Stephen Wade said he was “disappointed” to learn no-one from SA Health had been in touch with Mabel’s family to tell them they were allow to visit the WCH.
Mr Wade was on live ABC Radio Adelaide when Mabel’s mother rang in to say the family had only learned “by the media” they could go across the border to the WCH for checks and potential surgery for hip dysplasia
She said she had not heard from SA Health.
“To hear details of our daughter’s case through the media is extremely disappointing,” Mrs Dyer said.
The family has an exemption to visit Naracoorte Hospital on Wednesday and have a scheduled telehealth call to their WCH specialist on the 27th but now will be allowed to visit the WCH in person for future checks following an appeal to the Prime Minister.
Mr Wade said he would speak to SA Health officials.
“That is disappointing,” he said when Mrs Dyer told him – and the ABC radio audience – she was yet to hear from health officials.
“I understood a number of people had been in contact from SA Health.”
He confirmed the family would be allowed to attend future appointments at the WCH in person, but would have to self-isolate when not visiting the hospital.