Excited but sceptical: Roy Butler says the announcements out of lockdown have brought many unintended consequences

As the announcement of towns lifting out of lockdown spread across the region, it brought a wave of emotions. While for some it was pure relief from what felt like crushing isolation, for others the messaging only brought confusion and ultimately, more questions.

Member for Barwon Roy Butler says that following yesterday’s state-wide announcement of both lockdowns lifting for low-concern LGA’s as well as the state’s roadmap to freedom, his team been overwhelmed with questions, confusion unfurling through the community.

“It wasn’t done well,” Mr Butler said of yesterday’s announcement, “We’ve spent the last 24 hours trying to help people understand the differences between the two announcements, because one doesn’t have a fixed date.” 

“I actually contacted the minister last night and said ‘please, never announce two things in one press conference again’,” he said. 

*Member for Barwon Roy Butler says today's easing of lockdown restrictions in some local areas have been confused with rule changes planned for when the whole state leaves lockdown when at least 70% of the NSW population is double vaccinated. PHOTO taken pre-covid.

While the roadmap to freedom indicated more freedoms for fully vaccinated residents to be allowed on the Monday following the state reaching their 70% double vaccination target, the projected date to reach that number isn’t until mid -October. 

Meanwhile, LGA’s of low concern were able to come out of stay-at-home orders early on Saturday September 11, less than 48 hours after the announcement. 

For many, the lack of warning has brought more stress than relief. While the lockdown is set to lift tonight, the rules surrounding those new freedoms are yet to be published, meaning locals have no warning as to what they can and cannot do and leaving few authorities holding the answers.

Mr Butler feared for the lack of stability in these plans, following NSW Premier Gladys Berejikian’s reminder the plans are subject to change depending on new case numbers in any locality.

“Though it’s not in writing, press conferences have warned us that if you have a case in your town, you’ll go back to stay-at-home orders until you’ve had two weeks of no cases.”

Business owners in particular are feeling the strain, happy to reopen and continue business as normal, but wary that the tides could change at any moment.

“If we get thrown back into lockdown, hospitality businesses could end up losing more money because they bought stock that they can no longer sell,” Mr Butler said.

Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders has been leading the reporting of Covid-19 information in the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD), while as Member for Barwon, Mr Butler has been kept in the dark from these decisions, left to find out at the same time as the public. 

“I have a good understanding of how people move between LGAs in this area, such as between Bourke, Brewarrina and Walgett, and have been in consultation with Dr Kerrie Chant about the mobility between communities. In the case of LGAs coming out of lockdown, that has been done without consultation,” he said.

Mr Butler predicts he’ll spend the next week cleaning up the mess of the ‘forgotten cohorts and unintended consequences’ that came from decisions being made without local consultation.

Regardless, excitement is thick in the air for those communities who exited lockdown last night, however long those new freedoms may last. 

“I’m happy for those communities that have been able to have some freedoms restored, but we really won’t know what it means for people until we get out hands on the orders and start pulling them apart,” said Mr Butler.

In or out of lockdown, he reminded locals to continue be respectful of other people.

“Keep washing hands, keeping your distance, and wiping down surfaces. The glimmer of freedom could be taken away as quickly as it was handed to us.”