THE first harvest workers arriving at the Paringa Resort quarantine facility – under a State Government initiative to prevent ‘devastating impacts’ to Riverland growers – have begun their two-week quarantine period.
A group of 216 workers – flown in from Tonga – arrived last Friday at the Paringa Resort, where they are undergoing two-weeks isolation from the community before beginning harvest work in the region.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development David Basham said the workers would be vital for Riverland citrus growers preparing for harvest.
“South Australia’s primary industries are worth $14.1 billion a year to the state economy and with citrus season upon us it is critical we deliver a safe solution to fill our seasonal worker shortages to ensure our state’s crops are harvested,” Mr Basham said.
“Our plan will be able to cater for up to 1200 seasonal workers across three months and will help support thousands of local jobs across South Australia’s agricultural industries.
“If fruit doesn’t get picked it would have devastating impacts across the entire supply chain which is why these workers are needed now.”
Workers arriving under the initiative will stay in eight-person cabins equipped with beds, a kitchen, living room and bathroom.
Dinner meals will be delivered directly to the cabins and residents will be required to do their own laundry.
The quarantine facility is monitored on-site 24 hours a day by a team of security guards, along with SAPOL officers, using 360-degree security cameras and thermal cameras.
Mr Basham said co-ordination between PIRSA, SA Health and SAPOL would minimise any risk of COVID-19 being spread.
“Pacific Island nations have seen very low case numbers of COVID-19 but it is crucial we keep South Australians safe and strong,” he said.
“The next group of around 200 workers is due to arrive in two weeks’ time, with the quarantine facility to be deep cleaned between each group.”
The workers will be required to undertake saliva tests on every other day, which is a higher level of testing than for returning travellers in Adelaide’s medi-hotels.
The Murray Pioneer understands harvest workers from Vanuatu – recently seen in Renmark – were flown in from Tasmania and had previously completed their two-week quarantines.