We need a decision — end distancing or open the borders

Tasmania flattened the curve yet we are not coming out any faster, writes Madeleine Ogilvie

DUE to the great work of the State Government, our business sector and most importantly the Tasmanian community, we have now reached a crucial decision point in the fight against COVID-19.

We have a choice — to abandon social distancing altogether, or the government can immediately (and carefully) reopen the borders.

Tasmania has reached an extraordinary landmark — 28 days without a new confirmed case of COVID-19. We have reached this milestone free and clear. What a victory. As this is two reproductive cycles of the virus, according to the science (and indeed the words of our own Public Health Director several weeks ago), this will mean we have effectively eradicated COVID19 inside our state borders.

Our near neighbours in New Zealand agree with this, having abandoned social distancing and reverted to normality this week, even before their 28-day mark.

Which raises the important question: why are Tasmanian individuals, community and sporting organisations, and businesses, still subject to restrictive social distancing rules and regulations to fight a virus which, according to the science, will have been eradicated from our state? When the business community supported Tasmania closing our borders before anyone else, this was done on the basis of a compact with the government, acknowledged by the Premier, that if we “go in early, if things go according to plan we can come out early”.

Unfortunately, while the virus curve has been well and truly flattened, we seem to be coming out no faster than anybody else.

The Premier’s plan for Fortress Tasmania has certainly paid off, and for that we all pay him deep credit.

His personal fortitude in leadership has been broadly recognised. Great work too by the people of Tasmania by getting behind the plan.

But people are asking, what good is having a fortress if you are still forced to walk around inside it dressed in armour with a hard hat on?

For all the talk of life continuing in the prism of a new normal, with continued social distancing rules, the fact is that this approach simply will not be sustainable for a large section of the Tasmanian business community.

For example, even with an increase to the customer cap, I doubt there would be a restaurant or pub in Tasmania which would be open right now but for the support of JobKeeper.

We all understand JobKeeper is not going to last, and nor should it — everyone wants and needs to get back to business as usual.

It is simply not sustainable for businesses to be able to get back on track with lower than normal turnover.

We have already seen business closures and, given the communications into my office, I fear there are going to be many more unless either social distancing is removed, or the borders are opened so that our visitor economy can resume.

There is understandable concern that if we abandon social distancing, due to a lack of the virus here, it will make it difficult if we need to reinstate it when the borders are eventually opened (and we again face risk from the virus).

We all recognise it is a tough choice, but we are going to have to cross this bridge at some point.

The immediate solution would appear to be to end social distancing here (while keeping a firm eye on the threat of the virus) and open up these “travel bubbles” we have heard so much about with other states — and New Zealand — which have also effectively controlled the virus.

South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia, the territories and even NSW have all now gone a considerable period without community transmission of the virus, and all should be considered for resumed travel and commerce. Only in Victoria does it seem the virus is still circulating in the community (albeit in very low numbers). Things will come into sharp focus when Tullamarine opens fully.

It is understood and accepted that it is going to take some time to design and implement border arrangements, as strong as they can be, without requiring mandatory quarantine.

Controls are likely to be needed until a vaccine or effective treatment is developed. I hope we see a good level of community consultation on what this might all look like. Our university has an important stake in this discussion.

In the meantime, forcing Tasmanians and Tasmanian business to continue to function under restrictive rules in order to fight a manageable risk is neither sustainable nor fair.

Madeleine Ogilvie is an independent member for Clark.