Region Overruled

Friday August 13, 2021

At odds over restrictions

Story by Raquel Mustillo

 

MEMBER for Mount Gambier Troy Bell says he is “absolutely pissed off” at the State Government and SA Health’s “unnecessary restrictions” on regional communities, including density requirements, caps on gatherings and mandatory masks.

The independent MP launched a fierce broadside at the government and the department for its imposition of state-wide restrictions in the region despite being COVID-free for more than 18 months.

Mr Bell said the public health response was now disproportionate to the perceived risk accused the government and the health department of political hyperbole rather than imposing temporary and targeted responses.

“If we had cases locally, I would be the first to wear a mask and say this is necessary, but we don’t and we haven’t for 18 months,” he said.

“People fundamentally should be able to live their lives in a free and democratic society without onerous restrictions…. I think SA Health are creating fear when there are no cases.

“This is all about control, because there is no logical reason why we would be wearing masks 500km from Adelaide when we haven’t had a case since May last year.

“I’m absolutely pissed off that people down here are having to put up with unnecessary restrictions when there is no threat, or very minimal threat of COVID-19.”

The Border Watch sent Premier Steven Marshall a series of questions including why masks remain mandatory in regional South Australia, why country communities are required to adhere to the same restrictions as in Adelaide and why a two-tiered restriction system has not been implemented in the regions.

In response, a State Government spokesperson said COVID-19 “does not discriminate based on postcode and no one knows where it may pop up next”.

The spokesperson said the seeding of the Delta strain across regional New South Wales was demonstrative of how easily COVID can spread.

“Restrictions are never in place for one minute longer than they have to be and we have a proven track record of easing these restrictions when it’s safe to do so,” the spokesperson said.

The Premier did not address questions relating to when compulsory mask use will be lifted in regional South Australia and redirected queries to the state’s health department.

In a statement, SA Health said any easing of restrictions was a matter for the state’s Transition Committee and was based on risk assessment analysis.

“With the highly contagious Delta variant now a dominant strain in Australia, it is important to wear masks to protect yourself and others from COVID-19,” SA Health said.

“Masks are a very effective barrier to help stop the spread of COVID-19 while also providing an additional safeguard when people are out in the community, both in metropolitan and regional areas.”

But Mr Bell rejected the blanket sledgehammer approach used to tackle COVID outbreaks, arguing easing settings in low prevalence areas provided protection to businesses and industries.

Businesses located in Adelaide’s central business district are eligible for an additional $1000 payment not available to country communities.

“That is not equitable because all businesses were forced to close and suffer losses during the lockdown,” Mr Bell said.

“I didn’t see any reason why the regions were shut down, which is now costing us $200m.

“Why is it okay that we have a two-tiered system when it comes to distributing money and putting more money into Adelaide businesses that business in Mount Gambier, and yet there is no two-tiered system for the restrictions at all?

“This is bullshit.”

Mr Bell said he would continue to lobby Premier Marshall to immediately lift the mandatory mask requirement in regional areas.

Mr Marshall did not address questions relating to the two-tiered metropolitan business funding scheme.

“I disagree with the State Government and SA Health because these restrictions are in place and I don’t see any reason for them at all,” he said.

“They are going to lose the goodwill of communities if they have a disproportionate response to the perceived risk and that’s what is happening at the moment.”

Mr Bell also vented anger over the State Government’s hypocrisy in announcing a two tiered system for metropolitan-based COVID affected businesses.

At odds over restrictions

 

MEMBER for Mount Gambier Troy Bell says he is “absolutely pissed off” at the State Government and SA Health’s “unnecessary restrictions” on regional communities, including density requirements, caps on gatherings and mandatory masks.

The independent MP launched a fierce broadside at the government and the department for its imposition of state-wide restrictions in the region despite being COVID-free for more than 18 months.

Mr Bell said the public health response was now disproportionate to the perceived risk accused the government and the health department of political hyperbole rather than imposing temporary and targeted responses.

“If we had cases locally, I would be the first to wear a mask and say this is necessary, but we don’t and we haven’t for 18 months,” he said.

“People fundamentally should be able to live their lives in a free and democratic society without onerous restrictions…. I think SA Health are creating fear when there are no cases.

“This is all about control, because there is no logical reason why we would be wearing masks 500km from Adelaide when we haven’t had a case since May last year.

“I’m absolutely pissed off that people down here are having to put up with unnecessary restrictions when there is no threat, or very minimal threat of COVID-19.”

The Border Watch sent Premier Steven Marshall a series of questions including why masks remain mandatory in regional South Australia, why country communities are required to adhere to the same restrictions as in Adelaide and why a two-tiered restriction system has not been implemented in the regions.

In response, a State Government spokesperson said COVID-19 “does not discriminate based on postcode and no one knows where it may pop up next”.

The spokesperson said the seeding of the Delta strain across regional New South Wales was demonstrative of how easily COVID can spread.

“Restrictions are never in place for one minute longer than they have to be and we have a proven track record of easing these restrictions when it’s safe to do so,” the spokesperson said.

The Premier did not address questions relating to when compulsory mask use will be lifted in regional South Australia and redirected queries to the state’s health department.

In a statement, SA Health said any easing of restrictions was a matter for the state’s Transition Committee and was based on risk assessment analysis.

“With the highly contagious Delta variant now a dominant strain in Australia, it is important to wear masks to protect yourself and others from COVID-19,” SA Health said.

“Masks are a very effective barrier to help stop the spread of COVID-19 while also providing an additional safeguard when people are out in the community, both in metropolitan and regional areas.”

But Mr Bell rejected the blanket sledgehammer approach used to tackle COVID outbreaks, arguing easing settings in low prevalence areas provided protection to businesses and industries.

Businesses located in Adelaide’s central business district are eligible for an additional $1000 payment not available to country communities.

“That is not equitable because all businesses were forced to close and suffer losses during the lockdown,” Mr Bell said.

“I didn’t see any reason why the regions were shut down, which is now costing us $200m.

“Why is it okay that we have a two-tiered system when it comes to distributing money and putting more money into Adelaide businesses that business in Mount Gambier, and yet there is no two-tiered system for the restrictions at all?

“This is bullshit.”

Mr Bell said he would continue to lobby Premier Marshall to immediately lift the mandatory mask requirement in regional areas.

Mr Marshall did not address questions relating to the two-tiered metropolitan business funding scheme.

“I disagree with the State Government and SA Health because these restrictions are in place and I don’t see any reason for them at all,” he said.

“They are going to lose the goodwill of communities if they have a disproportionate response to the perceived risk and that’s what is happening at the moment.”

Mr Bell also vented anger over the State Government’s hypocrisy in announcing a two tiered system for metropolitan-based COVID affected businesses.