Coronavirus Australia: South Australia discouraging tourists this Easter

Easter is just around the corner, but these locals are discouraging visitors from coming to their once thriving area.

Just months ago South Australians were begging tourists to visit the area in the throes of their bushfire recovery, but now visitors are being urged to “go home” as the Easter weekend draws closer.

A surfboard at Cactus Beach, near Penong on the Far West Coast of South Australia, sums up the sad reality facing bushfire-stricken communities all over Australia amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The sign reads: “Hello, if your postcode is not 5690, please do the right thing and go home.”

The message, written on a surfboard, was placed on the road into the campsite.

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A sign near Cactus Beach at Penong warning people to stay away.

Cactus Beach is usually a tourist hot spot among surfers. Picture: South Australian Tourism Commission

Easter traditionally sees not only people but cash flow to coastal and outback holiday hot spots, especially in South Australia’s Limestone Coast.

However, the area’s tourist trade has been effectively killed by the ban on gatherings of 10 or more people.

Beaches are on their way to being closed.

Police also will be able to issue $1000 fines on-the-spot for those who are supposed to be self-isolating and $5000 to businesses flouting social distancing laws.

South Australia’s economy is set to take another hit.

Regional leaders have urged South Australians to stay away from their holiday hot spots this Easter to stop the spread of COVID-19.

South Australian Premier Steven Marshall and Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier feared that their health facilities wouldn’t be able to cope with a coronavirus outbreak, and so urged people to stay home.

Erika Vickery, president of the Limestone Coast Local Government Association, which represents seven councils, said “the cessation of non-essential travel is critical”.

“The upcoming Easter period is historically a very busy time for the Limestone Coast … (however) we encourage anyone contemplating non-essential travel into the region, both interstate or intrastate, to reconsider their plans and to defer their trips,” Ms Vickery said.

Robe Mayor Alison Nunan earlier this week actively discouraged visitors, with the town’s population traditionally swelling at Easter.

“I understand that this is not welcome news to anyone, locals and tourists alike,” she said. “However, I ask that you please be patient and respectful while we work together to protect our community.”