SA relaxes border restrictions for NT, WA and Tasmania, but those states are staying closed
“Someone has to go first.” With those words, the Premier has relaxed border restrictions into SA for people from WA, NT and Tasmania – but none of those states or territories are doing the same.
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South Australia’s move to fast-track the lifting of border national restrictions is being resisted by other states, as our tourism industry gets ready to cash in on new visitors.
SA life takes a big shift back towards normal on Wednesday, as mandatory 14-day quarantines in place since March are lifted for people who arrive from so-called COVID safe states.
In an order that comes into force at midnight after a meeting of the state’s Transition Committee on Tuesday, people can now freely enter SA from the NT or WA and Tasmania.
Of the $2.7 billion spent by interstate visitors in SA last year, a fifth was from those three places that no longer face restrictions. Queensland could be added this week.
Those same freedoms do not yet apply when going out of our state, and people entering SA from NSW and Victoria still have to go into a two-week coronavirus lockdown.
SA plans to open to all states on July 20, but that date may come forward.
Police checks on the mainland borders that SA has deemed safe also cease.
Premier Steven Marshall said SA had bitten the bullet on lifting border restrictions after an extended period of good health results, and hoped others would soon follow.
“Somebody has to go first. Somebody has to lead the way,” he told The Advertiser.
“We appreciated that it wouldn’t mean that flights would start the following day but we are having discussions via the Tourism Commission and airport, with airlines.
“We hope to see them in coming weeks. SA becomes an attractive destination for Northern Territorians and West Australians potentially to travel on roadtrips.
“The lower level of restrictions, and much lower level of infection rate, will make SA a very attractive destination. Hopefully we can move ahead with Queensland very soon.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who’s been urging an end to internal divisions, said SA had made a “welcome move forward on the path to a COVIDSafe reopening”.
“Looking forward to returning to SA to enjoy a locally brewed Coopers,” he tweeted.
Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein said he planned to set a date to ease border restrictions there on Friday next week, with the changes likely to take effect in late July.
“Until then our focus remains on a gradual easing of our broader restrictions to ensure we’re well placed to manage any risk associated with coronavirus,” he said.
“I extend my best wishes to the South Australian community and look forward to welcoming you to our island state once it is safe to do so.”
NT chief minister Michael Gunner said he would make a decision this week.
“Our strong borders have saved lives and made us the safest place in Australia,” he said.
WA Premier Mark McGowan said: “Our border arrangement will stay in place until such time as it’s healthy and safe to bring them down.”
“In terms of picking and choosing between the states, as I’ve said many times, the advice we have is that is unconstitutional, and that is confirmed by the Federal Government,” he said.
Mr Marshall said the SA Transition Committee has considered its own legal advice and determined it was safe and legally sound to open up to states posing lesser risk.
Debate among Constitutional scholars is divided. It centres on rights to free trade and movement, and under what conditions it can be deemed reasonable to hinder them.
A Qantas spokeswoman said the company was “monitoring the situation”.
However at this stage the airline has not put on any extra flights to Adelaide as it awaits to see if the three other jurisdictions will reciprocate and open their borders to South Australians.
Business SA chief executive Martin Haese said the borders move “will put South Australia ahead of the game when it comes to the economic recovery”.
“This is a huge win for tourism and business,” he said. “It’s now up to these jurisdictions whether they follow SA’s lead and relax quarantine measures for SA visitors.
“If they don’t, we will happily take their holiday-makers.”
Other changes announced, to take force from Friday, include increasing the numbers permitted at indoor classes like dance and fitness from 10 to 20. Operators must allow seven square metres per person. Also, outdoor assemblies of 300 are allowed.
Further consideration is being given to sporting crowds, with up to 5000 people possibly allowed at this month’s SANFL launch ahead of staged further increases.
People who recently arrived in SA from the safe states do not have to stay in quarantine.