WARY Riverlanders remain cautious of the idea of a travel bubble with Mildura as the number of COVID-19 cases in Victoria continues to rise.
The idea of a cross-border travel bubble was suggested by Member for Mildura Ali Cupper earlier this month, who called for a “blanket exception” for Mildura residents to enter South Australia.
But in a poll conducted by the Murray Pioneer, almost two-thirds of the 1200 respondents said travel between Mildura and the Riverland should remain restricted.
Discussion about a potential bubble comes as Victoria experiences a second wave of COVID-19 infections, with more than 400 new cases detected over the weekend, though the Mildura Rural City Council area currently has no active cases.
The State Government announced tighter border restrictions last week, effectively closing the border to non-South Australians and non-essential travellers.
Sixty Australian Defence Force personnel have been deployed to assist police near the Victorian border from Berri to Mount Gambier, with that number likely to rise to 100 over the course of the week.
Entry into the state via the Murray River is also restricted with lock operators near the state border assisting South Australian Police to check the eligibility and quarantine requirements of travellers coming from interstate.
Many poll respondents said a lack of travel restrictions between Melbourne and Mildura was an inhibiting factor.
“Creating the ‘travel bubble’ only creates more problems than it solves,” one respondent said.
“With all that’s still going on with COVID-19, this is too big of a risk to take.”
However, some locals who rely on cross-border travel to Mildura to access essential services have been significantly impacted by current restrictions.
One Riverland woman said she was having to self-isolate between trips across the border for cancer treatment.
The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said she was on her second visit to an oncologist in Mildura when self-isolation requirements came into effect.
“When we came back through Yamba we were told the rules had changed,” she said.
“The duty policeman was quite unsure what to do. I guess everyone was playing it by ear.
“I felt extremely stressed.”
The woman was able to obtain an essential traveller exemption that would allow her to continue to travel to Mildura for treatment, though she still had to self-isolate.
She said she and her husband were having to spend four weeks in isolation for every week they were allowed out, with this set to continue for the rest of the year or until borders open.
“Isolation has been okay to a certain extent,” she said.
“I do miss lunch, dinner and coffee with friends, plus entertaining and cooking for friends as well as my bridge group.
“We had our first dinner out when restrictions were lifted. It now seems so long ago now that we are back in isolation.
“Just going for the post and to the library is no longer taken for granted.
“We are lucky enough to have a lovely group of friends who check on us every day and deliver supplies – without them life would be miserable.
“It stops me from wallowing when I feel a bit tired or sick.”
The woman said she was “undecided” on whether she thought a travel bubble should be created.
“Initially I thought it was a great idea, as we would not have to isolate on our return,” she said.
“Now with the outbreaks in other states I am undecided.
“But then if we look at Sunraysia people who access treatment in Adelaide, being so much closer than Melbourne for radiation treatment and other things, they need some exemptions and checks.
“How? I don’t know, as red tape is usually pretty tough and sticky, and when you are sick you don’t need the extra hassle.
“It would suit us, but there is a wider picture.
“It is a very difficult situation and to look at each case would be time consuming – I’m glad it’s not my call.”

Cross-border communities face tighter restrictions
Vict