Committee for Adelaide says SA risks complacency on Covid-19 reopening

A group of powerful Adelaide figures has warned the government it needs to share its plans for coping with open borders before the state’s world-leading efforts are squandered.

A detailed and clear timeline out of Covid-19 restrictions is being urged by the Committee for Adelaide as vaccine coverage rises ahead of an expected early December reopening of state borders.

In a comprehensive statement, the Adelaide influencers say the state’s road map out of restrictions is unclear, which is causing uncertainty ahead of an expected increase in Covid-19 cases once borders start reopening when an 80 per cent vaccination threshold is reached.

The committee’s statement says this road map should include “clarity about whether SA vaccination passports will be implemented and mandated to attend events, venues, retail, workplaces – including industry-specific requirements”.

“South Australia has been world-class in leading the suppression of Covid-19 and we should all applaud our ability to work together under strong leadership that has enabled us to have the lowest-level restrictions,” the committee statement says.

“However, there is a risk of complacency as other states and countries gain first-mover advantages. For South Australia to capitalise on the many opportunities the Covid reset presents, we must remain ahead of the virus with a world-class road map and plans for the foreseeable future.

“We call on the government to make life and business operations as predictable as possible in what is a very unpredictable environment.”

Premier Steven Marshall, chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier and Police Commissioner Grant Stevens at the Wayville vaccine hub. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Premier Steven Marshall has adhered to a reopening plan agreed by national cabinet on August 6, which has measures including “highly targeted lockdowns only” and “minimum ongoing baseline restrictions” once double-dose Covid-19 vaccination rates for people aged 16 and over reach 80 per cent – expected in SA in early December.

The Committee for Adelaide’s board includes its chairman and UniSA vice-chancellor David Lloyd, property firm Commercial & General chief executive officer Trevor Cooke, Deloitte Private managing partner Andrew Culley, BHP Olympic Dam executive Demitra Ritossa and KPMG Australia SA chairman Justin Jamieson. Former Socceroo and Adelaide United player Bruce Djite is the committee’s chief executive officer.

Committee for Adelaide chief executive officer Bruce Djite, a former Socceroo and Adelaide United player. Picture: Mike Burton

The committee’s statement to the Sunday Mail says an assessment of Covid-19’s management overseas shows “it’s clear that we need to learn to live with the virus” and urges “more transparency from government” about the implications of reopening state and national borders.

“We will inevitably have community transmission in metropolitan Adelaide once interstate borders are open – what will happen at 80 per cent vaccination, 90 per cent vaccination?” the statement says.

“What steps is SA taking to minimise transmission so that we can remain open and reduce the impact on our community, businesses and economy going forward?

“Engaging in an open conversation with the community, business and industry will enable a more consistent approach to reopening.”

The committee says it is guaranteed that SA “cannot remain closed off from the rest of the country and the world and that Covid-19 is here to stay for many years, if not decades”.

“It is time for all South Australians to have a clear road map regarding what living with Covid will look like come Christmas, 2022 and beyond.”

Originally published as Committee for Adelaide says SA risks complacency on Covid-19 reopening