Regional SA city hopes ‘devastating’ restrictions will be lifted

Mount Gambier businesses hope “devastating” restrictions imposed on the community may be eased after no new COVID-19 positive cases were recorded in the region.

One positive COVID-19 case recorded over the weekend and subsequent restrictions have triggered an exodus of tourists from the city and a dramatic drop in trade for businesses during the peak school holiday period.

South Australia’s transition committee will meet on Friday to canvass the possibility of easing restrictions early for the three local government areas of Mount Gambier, Grant District and Wattle Range.

Mount Gambier publican Aaron Davis said the restrictions forced them to make some tough decisions.

“We went into shutdown mode and unfortunately had to start cutting rosters, a lot of our staff probably lost $300 for the week,” he said.

“I sent some things to the Australian Hotels Association at the start of the week to just ask if it [the capacity rule] be lifted to 50 per cent.

While agreeing with the decision to enforce restrictions just in the South East, he hoped it would set a precedent for the future.

“This is probably what I wanted: if there was a case, just to shut down that area, because I believe that’s what they should have done when there was a case in Adelaide last time,” Mr Davis said.

“As long as it is like this every time, then I think everyone will … learn to live with it.”

Mount Gambier caravan park operator Gavin Fraser said the impact of restrictions had been swift and “devastating”.

He predicted it would be some time before holidaymakers would return to Mount Gambier.

Mr Fraser also raised concerns about future restrictions, particularly during the crucial summer holidays.

“It’s a very worrying thing because we rely on the summertime — that’s when we make our money basically,” he said.

“So, if there are restrictions during the summertime, well, we might as well just pack up and leave.”

Regional city suffering

Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell said the restrictions had delivered a major blow for the regional economy.

“It has had a devastating effect on our community and businesses,” Mr Bell said.

Earlier in the week, he said there were few people in Mount Gambier’s normally vibrant commercial centre.

“There were very few people around and businesses I went into were telling me they were they were down 70 to 80 per cent … a number of the hotels had almost nobody in them,” Mr Bell said.

Mr Bell is calling for an assistance package from the state government for affected businesses.

He said Mount Gambier went into lockdown when there were cases in Adelaide — more than 500km away.

“Well, I’d like him to honour those words and … support the South East and businesses.”

An ‘anxious time’

On ABC Radio, South Australian Premier Steven Marshall said he was pleased with the large number of people being tested in the Mount Gambier district.

“The great news is that all of those tests have come back negative,” Mr Marshall said.

“There will be a transition committee meeting tomorrow [Friday] morning and we will be looking at the restrictions in the South East.

“We know that they’re very punishing on businesses, individuals in Mount Gambier and that border community.”

Authorities are continuing investigations into the movements of a woman who tested positive to COVID-19, prompting the restrictions, and whether she had potentially travelled to Melbourne.

Mr Marshall said there had been an anxious couple of days for the South East community.

“Hopefully, we can get some more information on that today because we don’t like to have these examples of community transmission that are unlinked.

“In fact, we’ve had very few of these ever in South Australia. So, when one does pop up, it does make us very anxious.”

Given there was no logical link, he said this was the “worst nightmare” for epidemiologists.

“It’s much better to be a little bit prudent than the other way, a bit slack,” Mr Marshall said.

“Then all of a sudden, the whole state goes into lockdown or Mount Gambier goes into lockdown, which would be far, far worse.”

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