What would happen if a second coronavirus wave hit SA?
Coronavirus is raging across Victoria, and has reached into South Australia causing new border rules. So what would happen if another outbreak hit SA?
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Amid growing concerns a second wave of COVID-19 could reach SA, the Sunday Mail outlines what it could mean:
AN UNFORTUNATE CHANGE IN DIRECTION
Weddings will be limited to 100 people and gatherings at home limited to 50 from Tuesday under guidelines set by Premier Steven Marshall on Friday.
A broader return to step 2 would result in fewer patrons allowed in cafes, restaurants, pubs, gyms and fitness centres.
The current cap inside venues is one person per 2sq m, but it could return to one person per 4sq m. There could also be a 300-person cap on the number of people allowed in venues or 75 people a room.
Nightclubs and food courts would close under a full return to step 2. The number of people allowed in places of worship would be limited.
Border restrictions could be tightened again if outbreaks occur in Queensland, Tasmania or Western Australia.
It’s likely drinking at the bar would be banned again, and venues would have to return to sit-down drinks and dinner only.
But a full return to step 2 or step 1 restrictions across the state or city is unlikely unless a major outbreak happens, such as in Melbourne.
Higher rates of testing and increased health-system capacity “may enable persistent but small outbreaks to be managed without the reintroduction of large-scale restrictions,” the Federal Government’s Budget update says.
But widespread outbreaks and high rates of community transmission “would likely necessitate the reintroduction of more severe health controls, as we have seen in Victoria”.
“Less severe or more geographically targeted restrictions would not have as large of an impact on economic activity,” the update says.
“Rather than experiencing another sharp downturn in economic growth, it would be more likely that the speed of economic recovery is slowed.”
WHAT WE’RE LEARNING FROM INTERSTATE
NSW introduced some tougher restrictions while avoiding hotspot lockdowns or even a citywide lockdown like Melbourne.
It’s relying on people to self-isolate and intensive contact-tracing to put a lid on clusters.
NSW imposed several new restrictions on Friday, including only 300 people in a venue, bookings of only 10 diners maximum, only 150 people at weddings and corporate events, no dancing or choirs, and only 100 people at funerals and places of worship.
WHAT DO BUSINESS LEADERS SAY?
SA’s tourism and hospitality sectors want local “rings of containment” instead of “one-size-fits-all” harsher restrictions. It would be like the plan used to put a lid on the Barossa Valley, where local travel was restricted and schools were shut in some towns.
“Whatever needs to be done to make sure that we’re all safe and healthy is the government’s first consideration and we understand that,” Tourism Industry Council SA boss Shaun de Bruyn said. But any tougher restrictions on businesses could operate would have a “dramatic” impact.
Australian Hotels Association chief executive officer Ian Horne said if there were a second wave a blanket solution needed to be avoided.
“We would strongly advocate avoiding blanket ‘one-size-fits-all’ responses that treat all venues statewide as if they were all in the epicentre of a future outbreak,” he said.
Masks don’t make Supermen
Mandatory masks could make South Australians feel like Superman, creating an unwarranted sense of safety, Health Minister Stephen Wade has warned.
Most residents of Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire north of the city are now required to cover their faces when they leave their homes, as Victoria records hundreds of new COVID-19 cases each day.
People face $200 fines if they don’t comply.
There are growing calls for NSW to follow Victoria’s lead, amid fears Sydney could also face a second wave of cases.
However, Mr Wade has said making South Australians wear masks could result in more complacency.
“One of the issues the SA public health team is considering in the context of masks is that masks can give people a false sense of security,” Mr Wade said.
“People feel as though if they have a mask on, (they’ll be) a bit like Superman (and think): ‘I don’t need to worry about social distancing, I don’t need to worry about public health advice’.
“So in some ways it could actually increase the risk.”
Mr Wade said health advice on masks was related to the level of community transmission. “There is no evidence of sustained community transmission in South Australia,” he said. “If that changes, I’m sure public health officials will reconsider their advice.”
Opposition health spokesman Chris Picton said Mr Wade’s scepticism was at odds with federal health experts such as deputy chief medical officer Nick Coatsworth.
“Our national health leaders are saying we should all get used to the idea that at some point we might be asked to wear masks,” Mr Picton said, adding Mr Wade’s position was at odds with his own government’s order that people coming from Victoria must wear masks.
– Matt Smith