Anguish for south-west families with reunions cancelled as SA border closure extended

A recent poll by The Standard found 20 per cent of 358 respondents had plans to travel to South Australia which had to be put on hold. SA Premier Steven Marshall declined to re-open the border this week after a spike in coronavirus cases in Melbourne..

Many cited visiting family as the primary reason for travelling to South Australia.

"I want SA to open its borders so my parents (who live in Mount Gambier) can meet my newborn," one respondent wrote.

Another said "I had plans to meet my new niece but I can't because of the restrictions" while a third person commented: "Was hoping to see my family for the first time since January."

For other south-west residents, they were hoping to reunite with family in Warrnambool. "I haven't seen my dad since March 10 and he was supposed to come from Adelaide," one wrote.

"I was going to travel to Warrnambool to see my family," another said.

Other respondents cited holidaying as their desire to cross the border and one person wrote their new caravan had been waiting for a test drive since February.

The South Australian government was to lift border restrictions on July 20 for Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.

Listen to the latest episode of our weekly episode The Booletin and Beyond:

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.