A reduced cross-border travel bubble between South Australia and Victoria will remain in place as the state comes out of a seven-day lockdown, but some border residents say the restrictions need to take individual circumstances into account.
The travel bubble was reduced from 70 kilometres to 40km on either side of the border early last week.
It means life for many cross-border community members has been a strain, with work, childcare and family just outside of reach.
For Bordertown pharmacist Natalie Hutchesson it's a divide that has prevented her from getting to her work in the western Victorian town of Nhill.
Under the 70km bubble rule, Ms Hutchesson's work was just inside the allotted area.
"Living on the border, a lot of us were disproportionately affected by all of these changes that the government had made."
The young mother says the changes are a particularly tricky juggle as her husband is a shift worker.
Facing a lack of available and flexible childcare arrangements, Ms Hutchesson said the couple has been forced to rely on the kindness of friends.
A 90-minute commute
Ms Hutchesson has taken ad locum work in the Limestone Coast during the past seven-day lockdown, which is over an hour and a half away from her family and home.
She said she would like to see a review of the cross-border bubble system.
"I'm working away from home for weeks at a time," Ms Hutchesson said.
"Everyone's trying to keep the borders shut to keep us safe … but I don't think that a lot of people living in the city actually realise the impact that it does have on essential businesses on the border."
Victorian branch president of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia Anthony Tassone said there have been workforce challenges for regional and remote pharmacists long before the pandemic.
"I think there needs to be a recognition of community pharmacists being essential workers," he said.
"In some rural and regional communities the local pharmacy may be the only health professional regularly there in town.
SA Police has been contacted for comment.
