Coronavirus

The Hon. G.G. BROCK (Frome) (15:13): My question is to the minister representing the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. Can the minister advise the house what precautions and assurances can be given to regional communities that have overseas vessels berthing as to the risk of those members on these vessels being cleared of the coronavirus before being able to disembark and mingle with the general community? With your leave, Mr Speaker, and that of the house I will explain a bit further.

Leave granted.

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: Port Pirie, as with other regional ports, has numerous vessels berthing from various overseas and coastal locations both to load and offload various commodities. The seamen visit the community, in particular supermarkets, to obtain fresh vegetables and fruit when available, which is causing great concerns with both the retail staff and the general public.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Minister for Education) (15:14): I thank the member for the question. It's a very serious question. I will get an answer to the member as urgently as we will be capable of doing so, provide it to the member and find some mechanism to make sure that advice is publicly available potentially earlier than the usual question on notice channels would allow.