Michael McGuire analysis: South Australia’s Covid exit plan gives hope for Christmas
SA is the envy of the world, the Premier has declared, as he reveals how and when South Aussies will be set free. And it’s hard to disagree with him, writes Michael McGuire.
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The end is in sight.
After living with this damned pandemic for more than 19 months, there is now an exit strategy. Light at the end of this long and particularly dark tunnel.
Not that it is going to be easy. South Australians will have to prepare for a spike in Covid-19 infections in numbers not seen since the early days of the pandemic.
There is no question this will be tough for frontline medical staff who have spent recent months frantically preparing for the day when South Australia opened its borders to the rest of the nation and then to the world.
Premier Steven Marshall and chief public health officer Nicola Spurrier would not predict how many cases or deaths they are expecting when restrictions are relaxed on November 23 – but it is inevitable the state will be hit by both. However, Mr Marshall was typically upbeat about the path out of Covid.
“I want to thank all South Australians for the extraordinary efforts over the past 19 months. We’re the envy of the world,’’ Mr Marshall said.
And that is true. As sad as it is that four people in SA have died from Covid, it is a remarkably low number when compared to just about anywhere else in the world.
Mr Marshall framed Tuesday’s announcement as a “reward for the sacrifices that individuals and businesses have made’’ when confirming the reopening of borders and greater numbers allowed in homes when the double vaccination rate hits 80 per cent.
He also promised even greater freedoms when SA reached 90 per cent double vaccination for those aged 12 and above.
Mr Marshall did not give a date when he expected to reach 90 per cent but did predict the state could “enjoy as normal a Christmas as possible’’ if that optimistic number was reached. It is likely most industries will need to introduce a mandatory vaccination order if the state is to reach 90 per cent.
Not that everyone is happy. The hospitality industry, which has struggled more than most through lockdowns and restrictions, understandably wants more freedoms, more quickly. Even at 80 per cent double vaccinated, density limits will remain in place, as will restrictions on “high-risk” activities such as drinking while standing, dancing and singing.
Hospo Owners Collective co-founder Simone Douglas in a Facebook post expressed her frustration restrictions were not changing for the industry as it headed into the lucrative Christmas trading period.
“They are going to send all of these businesses to the wall robbing them of their peak trading season that usually creates the cash surplus required to trade through winter,’’ she said.
“There will be thousands of people who are in shock with nothing to celebrate and the last hope for their businesses, their staff and their industry crushed with a single press conference.’’
Yet, there will be relief from many who have also suffered through the pandemic. There have been sad tales through Covid.
Jess McHugh, who works for SkyCity, said: “I have so many family and friends on the east coast that I haven’t seen for more than a year. I can’t wait to catch up with them – and meet a couple of new arrivals too”.
In ways big and small, no one has emerged from Covid entirely unscathed and the final toll may not be fully appreciated for many years yet.
But at least now there is a certainty the worst is behind us. That normality will return. That South Australians can again push on with their lives relatively unhindered.
Get ready to pack the bags with confidence
By Brad Crouch
Dust off the cobwebs from your passport and get ready to head abroad, travel industry leader Phil Hoffmann says.
Mr Hoffmann said the roadmap would instil enormous confidence in people considering an overseas holiday, from those eager to see family to once-regular travellers unable to fly overseas for almost two years.
The one stumbling block is the requirement for fully vaccinated people to quarantine for a week on return from November 23, but Mr Hoffmann hoped this would be lifted before Christmas as vaccination rates increased.
“We are moving in the right direction and we would hope that by about December 15 people arriving on international flights who are double vaccinated would no longer have to quarantine,” he said.
“This is a big confidence booster for people making plans. If you need to, now is the time to renew your passport or dust off the cobwebs.”
Eos by SkyCity general manager Jodi Brown said: “We’re thrilled to see a definitive roadmap that will allow us to open our doors to interstate double-vaccinated guests from November 23.
“Eos and our surrounding SkyCity food and beverage venues experienced high demand from interstate guests prior to border closures and this time frame allows us to firm plans with confidence in attracting those visitors again in the lead up to our peak season.”
David Doudle, of Australian Coastal Safaris in Port Lincoln, said closed borders with NSW and Victoria had cost the business $300,000 in cancellations since July.
“This is great news, we are really happy with this announcement,” Mr Doudle (picture above on right) said.
“Interstate travellers are a big part of our market and the sooner we get them back the better.”
Qantas said it would increase flights between Sy
Big win for little weddings
By Anna Vlach
Couples tying the knot now have a little more freedom when it comes to planning their big day.
While the limit of 150 guests at wedding venues still applies, a further easing is expected by Christmas.
However, the numbers allowed at home gatherings will increase from 20 to 30 from November 23.
Adelaide wedding planner Alyse Vozzo, from The Stylist’s Guide, said weddings in homes had become popular and even a small increase in guest numbers would be welcomed.
She said one couple, who had postponed their nuptials at a private residence because they wanted to have 28 guests, were “thrilled” at the change.
Ms Vozzo said clients getting married later this year whose planning had “plateaued” would now have confidence to press ahead.
“They would have had to cancel if restrictions weren’t going to be lifted,” she said.
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