SA/NSW border reopening brings joy to families and creates unique business opportunities
The opening of the SA/NSW border overnight has given our state a head start on the rest of the country, creating unique business and tourism opportunities, the Property Council says. It comes as scores of families are reuniting after months apart.
SA News
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Travellers arriving from NSW will no longer have to go into quarantine for a fortnight after SA opened its border overnight – a move welcomed by the business sector and families.
Property Council director Daniel Gannon said there were many economic advantages to the SA leading the border openings, as well as the joy of family reunions.
“If we look across the country, we’re seeing different governments behave in different ways, and that has created an opportunity for South Australia to take advantage of this head start on the rest of the country,’’ he said.
“South Australia is ahead of the game, we are connecting our economy with the nation’s biggest economy in NSW, and it’s a first mover advantage that we need to capitalise on.
“People in NSW might not be able to lay on a beach in Queensland, but they can walk through vineyards in the Barossa, they can watch finals footy at the Adelaide Oval.
“They can come here and spend their money, and South Australia can benefit from that pent-up demand.”
Vanessa Jeffries, 28, of Sydney said she had endured two major surgeries while totally isolated from her Adelaide based mother and sister, including a spell in ICU, but will be reunited with a flight booked next week.
“I think it has been even worse for my mother as she has been so stressed all year that she couldn’t be with me to care for me or support me through all the changes in my life,’’ she said.
“I was so happy to read the announcement Tuesday as all I have wished for every day is to see my family. I booked a flight for next week straight away and can’t wait to see them.”
Hugo Ditroia, 28, from Parkes said he had not seen his Adelaide-based sister since Christmas day last year.
“I live and work in regional NSW, tonight is a day like no other to see my family again, I could cry,’’ he said.
“I was in Broken Hill when I heard the border news so I’m just going to keep going south and called work to take a week off.
Babies meet families for first time
Meanwhile, SA and NSW babies – like 14-week-old Halle Harvey – are being preened and prepared to meet the relatives for safe hugs and kisses for the first time.
Mandatory self isolation for 14 days ended at midnight Wednesday, meaning little Halle can finally be proudly shown off to NSW family and friends.
Her mum Brittany Harvey moved to Adelaide from Broken Hill in 2011 to start university and has no direct family living here.
“I haven’t seen my family since I went in February, before the coronavirus hit, so I haven’t seen any of my family since then,’’ she said.
“After the baby was born I could have gone to Broken Hill but would have had to quarantine for 14 days coming back and we couldn’t do that because my husband (Gered) wouldn’t have been able to work for two weeks.”
Brittany’s mum and nan are now rushing to meet their granddaughter and great granddaughter — expected from Broken Hill on Thursday or Friday — and Brittany is looking forward to regular visits from now on.
Interstate travel from NSW to SA was derailed on 22 March, when anyone arriving or re-entering was forced to self-isolate for 14 days immediately, making the trip for many families with new born babies impossible.
Brittany also plans to drive to Broken Hill next week to see extended family and old school friends, some of whom have also had babies during the travel ban.
Premier Steven Marshall said the lifting of restrictions on health advice reflected the effort all South Australians had made to beat the virus.
“And I know this news is a relief to so many across our state,’’ he said.
“It means families and friends can reunite and it means more job opportunities will become available as we keep our economy moving forward.”
Broken Hill identity Peter Nash said convoys of vehicles are expected both ways by the weekend when school holidays begin because the Silver City retained strong links to SA.
Mr Nash, who operates the Sampsons shoe store where Brittany was once an employee, said Broken Hill was economically linked to Adelaide more than any other city.
“For an example Adelaide is always the source of stock for my store, so the links are really important between us and SA,’’ he said.
Also from Thursday, any visitor except from Victoria can enter SA without quarantining, but must still apply.
Only approved essential travellers from Victoria can cross.
Those who crossed from NSW before midnight Wednesday must still isolate for 14 days.