It's great to see various parts of the state exiting lockdown and a bumper harvest on the cards, and now the race is on to get back to a place that resembles 'normal'. NSW Farmers is proud to join NSW Health in encouraging regional communities to get vaccinated.
With grains and horticulture harvests imminent, some regional LGAs remain in lockdown while others have recently opened up. NSW Farmers has welcomed the implementation of the Agricultural Workers' Code, but the lack of a consistent set of national protocols has meant there is still stress and uncertainty for both individuals and businesses.
As farmers there's not a lot we can control - the weather, the markets, the price of fuel - but what we can do is roll up our sleeves and get vaccinated. It is more important now than ever to ensure we can get back to normal as quickly as possible, so that we can get the limited workers moving across borders during the peak harvest period.
We have been promised greater freedoms once 80 per cent of the state's adult population is fully vaccinated, and in recent weeks we have seen increasing availability of vaccines and expanding vaccination locations, as well as vaccination hubs in a number of communities.
However, there are still challenges around the movement of workers across borders. The rules that apply when crossing in to and out of locked down areas should be clarified and well communicated to affected communities. Farming and regional communities need consistency and clarity at this time.
As more people get vaccinated, there will be more certainty for other jurisdictions around border controls. This isn't an overnight solution, but it is an important step in the right direction. Then it will be up to the government to clearly articulate a pathway away from hotel quarantine arrangements to facilitate the re-opening of international borders.
Given the volatility of the COVID-19 situation, access to, and community trust in reliable information will be the most important tools we have in the fight against the pandemic. We urge community members to consult government sources in the first instance when looking for COVID-19 related information.
The latest COVID-19 outbreak is yet another challenge for regional NSW, but communities can influence the end date of lockdowns through adhering to social distancing, implementing COVID mitigation measures in the workplace and getting vaccinated. Let's do this NSW!
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