Compulsory vaccine backlash forces SA border bubble backflip

Anger over a police direction demanding vaccinations from people inside SA’s border bubbles has turned to bewilderment after the decision was suddenly reversed.

Nelson Kiosk and Post Office operators Andrea Winfield and Paul Singleton work on the Victorian side of SA’s border, and usually live in Donovans, in SA. Picture: Nicole Cleary

Confusion abounded in cross border communities after police issued a direction requiring people to be vaccinated if they wanted to enter SA – and then backflipped on that instruction.

Paula Gust from the Cross Border Call Out group raised queries with police about the requirements for cross border community members to get vaccinated. Picture: Supplied

Andrea Winfield and Paul Singleton, who runs Nelson Kiosk & LPO (post office) just over the Victorian border said the issue had caused anxiety in the community.

The original direction published on Friday required those travelling between SA and Victoria from on border community permits from September 24 to have had at least one Covid jab.

People in the border bubble, which stretches 70km on either side of the state’s boundary, were excluded if they were pregnant, under 18 or had a medical exemption.

But following backlash, on Monday, SA Police issued a new direction reversing that decision.

A spokeswoman said: “Future changes may require cross border community members and permitted arrivals to be vaccinated against COVID-19 before arriving in South Australia.”

All other essential travellers are still required to have at least one approved vaccination by September 24.

Cross Border Call Out group spokeswoman Paula Gust said it was a relief the time frame was being axed for border community members, though it seemed likely people would be forced to vaccinate if they wanted to travel freely in future.

“There’s a big foot up the bum of encouragement, to go and get it done,” she said.

“(But) we’ve got a little bit of breathing space.”

In the Green Triangle – the forestry region covering the state’s South-East and southwestern Victoria – industry spokesman Ian McDonnell said the state’s transition committee should have a representative specifically speaking for cross border communities. He said authorities’ decision-making appeared too city centric.

Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub chairman Ian McDonnell, says more thought needs to be given to cross border communities when decisions are made about Covid-19 directions. Picture: Tait Schmaal

“These decisions are being made largely from a metropolitan point of view and quite frankly, we’re sick of it,” he said.

MacKillop MP Nick McBride said his Naracoorte-based office was inundated with calls from people seeking clarity on the vaccination requirement.

Their concerns centred on two main issues – a lack of local vaccine appointments before September 24 and the removal of their choice whether or not to get the jab.

“There is a cohort that believe the personal freedom and choice has been taken away from them for a line in the sand,” he said.

“I have to err on the side of freedom of choice on this. To mandate it for crossing the border may be a bridge too far.”

Osteopath Vince Muscat and business analyst Jemma Dillon, with their children Maggie and Mick. Picture: Nicole Cleary

Andrea Winfield, of Nelson Kiosk, just over the border in Victoria, said the issue had sparked worries among some in her community who were unable to get appointments before September 24.

This included one of her staff members who lives in Mount Gambier.

Vaccinated osteopath Vince Muscat, who lives in Cape Bridgewater in Victoria and practices in Mount Gambier, said he was concerned about “conflicting and confusing information” coming from SA Police and the government.

A state government spokeswoman said vaccination was “our pathway out of this pandemic”.

“While we don’t want to leave a restriction in place for one day longer than we have to, given the increasing case numbers in NSW and Victoria, South Australia needs to be extra vigilant,” she said.

An SA Health spokeswoman said: “We expect to provide additional appointments from September as supply increases and will continue to adjust appointments according to supply and demand.”

“Everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19 is encouraged to regularly check the online booking system for new appointments and book in to receive their vaccine as soon as they can,” she said.

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