Years Serving the SA Hotel Industry
From the General Manager IAN HORNE – AHA|SA GENERAL MANAGER
A Look Over the Horizon Any members who have had the opportunity to attend the recent members meetings will be aware of my warnings about the next 8 to 12 weeks of trading – ie. October through to the end of the year. My concern is the complete lack of clarity as to what is the likely response of the State Government and its Transition Committee to states like NSW and Victoria opening up and the influence on all states of the Federal Government. Consider this! NSW has acknowledged that it will be removing a variety of COVID-19 related restrictions to open up its economy by mid-October when it is predicted that the state will have achieved 70% plus full vaccinations across its community.
Or will SA open borders when the population vaccination levels reach 80% and abandon the ‘zero’ ambition in favour of ‘living with the virus’? The reality with either option is the inevitability that the virus will find its way into SA for no other reason than there will be an increase in cases in NSW and Victoria and the obvious leaks across the border by truckies, travellers and others authorised to cross the border. And what will SA Health’s response be to any community transmission? Shutdowns? State-wide or by LGA’s? Will SA seek to keep borders closed as long as possible?
NSW Government has clearly said that NSW has no option but to live with the virus.
Will achieving the 80% full vaccination threshold be extended to ‘preserve’ SA’s zero free status?
The Victorian situation is similar. Both states have abandoned any pretext as to seek to maintain zero cases. They have faced the harsh reality that the ‘medicine’ (lockdown restrictions) is probably more damaging than the disease.
Will the Police Commissioner in his capacity as State Coordinator again over-ride SA Health’s recommendations?
So where does that leave South Australia?
And what influence will a State Election play within the next 6 months?
One option is to maintain closed borders and continue to aim for zero cases. This has been the strongly advocated position by SA Health with the threat of lockdown over even one community transmitted case. 6 | Hotel SA | W W W . A H A S A . A S N . A U
What if he won’t?
As you will appreciate there are no easy answers. The Government and Transition Committee continue to take their own advice. Back to Contents
