From the General Manager

A Look Over the Horizon

IAN HORNE – AHA|SA GENERAL MANAGER

WATCH IAN'S VIDEO UPDATE: https://youtu.be/KIFPr_OdxyY

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.

NSW Government has clearly said that NSW has no option but to live with the virus.

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.

So where does that leave South Australia?

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.

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?

Will achieving the 80% full vaccination threshold be extended to ‘preserve’ SA’s zero free status?

Will the Police Commissioner in his capacity as State Coordinator again over-ride SA Health’s recommendations?

What if he won’t?

And what influence will a State Election play within the next 6 months?

As you will appreciate there are no easy answers. The Government and Transition Committee continue to take their own advice.

“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.”

What is obvious is that the two largest economies in Australia are opening and are going to learn to live with the virus.

It seems SA has NO alternative but to do the same. We must hope that those who make those decisions do so as soon as possible because to maintain an ambition of zero is to continue to increase the economic, social and health damage on many businesses and their workforces.

So, we can expect the next 8 to 12 weeks to be disruptive at the very least. The best thing that we can all do is ensure we and those close to us are fully vaccinated.