Preventing Victorians from crossing into South Australia could force them back into COVID-19 hotspots increasing the risk of the virus spreading to the border communities, according to Liberal MP Tony Pasin.
The South Australian government will enforce a hard closure of its Victorian border on Friday, a drastic step away from current arrangements that allow residents of border communities to travel inter-state with regular COVID-19 testing. “I just fear that we’ve got ourselves in a situation now where risk adverse decisions are being made without regard for the economic consequences,” Mr Pasin told Sky News host Chris Kenny.
Mr Pasin – whose federal electorate of Barker encompasses South Australian border communities – said it would be “much more risky” for those cross-border towns if Victorians were forced out than if strict arrangements were made for inter-state travel. “By forcing Victorians who would otherwise obtain their health services or other services from places like Mount Gambier … they move back into Victoria where the disease load’s more prevalent,” he said.
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