THE South Australian Government must ensure its border closure measures will not be left in place indefinitely as COVID-19 cases continue to fall in Victoria.

Member for Mildura Ali Cupper has welcomed a return to the 40km border zone at midnight on Thursday, however said she would continue to fight for the SA Government to show more proportionate rules on its border.

“Returning the 40km border zone is the starting point, but nowhere near the end-point,” Ms Cupper said.

“There are now zero active coronavirus cases in the three Victorian border local government areas and case numbers have been consistently falling throughout regional Victoria for well over a week.

“The border zone is welcome relief to communities like Murrayville and Lindsay Point, however it is certainly not an ideal scenario.

“Residents still need to have a COVID-19 test every seven days which is a very restrictive and invasive – and there still has not been a single case from a person from a border community.

“The South Australian Government needs to unveil plans to reopen its borders again – or at least consider a larger bubble with Victorian communities near the border – should the case numbers continue to fall in the coming days and weeks.”

Ms Cupper said people from the Mildura electorate were still struggling at times to gain permit exemptions for access to South Australia for medical, education and compassionate reasons.

She said farmers just outside the 40km border zone also continued to struggle to perform day-to-day activities given they utilised services in South Australia.