An update has been made to the Cross Border restrictions in South Australia.
The Emergency Management (Cross Border Travel No 16) (COVID-19) Direction 2020 has been revoked and replaced by the Emergency Management (Cross Border Travel No 17) (COVID-19) Direction 2020. This new Direction comes into effect as of 0001 Saturday 24 October 2020.
The new Direction provides an update to the restrictions currently in place for travel into and out of South Australia. These changes include the inclusion of New Zealand as a Low Community Transmission Zone and further amendments to Cross Border Community Members, the ability to relocate to South Australia, allows for the return of South Australian students and updates to Passing Through provisions.
Low Community Transmission Zone- New Zealand
New Zealand is now considered to be a low community transmission zone. People can now enter South Australia from New Zealand and not have to self-quarantine for 14 days or undertake COIVD-19 testing (provided they have not transited through Victoria).
Travellers may enter South Australia via either air or road as long as they have not entered Victoria or another overseas jurisdiction in the last 14 days. They must have also entered Australia on a quarantine-free flight .
For more information and to locate the necessary forms please visit https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/new-zealand-safe-travel-zone or https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/
Cross Border Community Member Essential Travellers
Cross Border Community Members (people who live within 70km of the border on either side) are now permitted to travel anywhere within the Cross Border Corridor which is 70km East and 70km West of the South Australia/Victoria border.
A Cross Border Community Member living in Victoria must not travel further than the 70km corridor into South Australia. A Cross Border Community Member living in South Australia must not travel further than the 70km corridor into Victoria or they will not be permitted to return.
Cross Border Community Members no longer need a reason to cross the border within the Corridor. There is no restriction on the distance travelled within the cross border corridor.
Cross Border Community Members are required to submit to a COVID-19 test within the last 7 days or on the first day of their arrival and then again of day 12 if still in South Australia. .
Cross Border Community Members with an already approved travel status do not need to apply for a new approval unless they are applying under different Essential Traveller criteria.
Travel from Victoria for Relocation to South Australia
People can now apply to relocate to South Australia from Victoria.
****IMPORTANT**** If a person left South Australia after 29 July 2020 to travel to Victoria they are not able to apply under this relocation provision. Any person who has travelled to Victoria after the 29 July will need to apply for an exemption via SA Health.
People wishing to apply will need to complete a Cross Border Travel Registration and provide sufficient documentation which will differ depending on circumstances but may include; proof of rental agreement, proof of home purchase, contract of employment etc.
Travellers MUST have the necessary approvals prior to travel. If they do not they will not be granted entry into South Australia.
People will NOT be able to relocate until they have been advised of the outcome of their application.
If approved people will be advised as to whether they are able to quarantine for 14 days (not including the day of arrival) at either a medi-hotel or other suitable place (e.g. home address). This will be assessed on a case by case basis and is dependent of travel locations/destinations and the level of risk at the time or relocation.
****IMPORTANT**** If a person is advised to quarantine in a medi-hotel they will need to wait until they have been given an approved date of travel. Failure to attend on the provided date may result in a loss of approval.
Travel from Victoria for Students
School or tertiary students who are currently in Victoria for educational purposes can return to South Australia upon completing the education year.
Students are only permitted to travel back to South Australia from Victoria once at the end of each school year under the provision. For travel outside of the end of school year a SA Health exemption would be required.
Travellers MUST have the necessary approvals prior to travel. If they do not they will not be granted entry into South Australia. When approved students will be advised as to whether they are able to quarantine for 14 days (not including the day of arrival) at either a medi-hotel or other suitable place (e.g. home address). This will be assessed on a case by case basis and is dependent of travel locations/destinations and the level of risk at the time of travel.
Passing through South Australia from Victoria
Changes have been made to allow people to travel through South Australia from Victoria if they have proof of acceptance in Western Australia or Northern Territory. The proof of acceptance must be uploaded to the Cross Border Travel Registration otherwise the application will be declined.
Travellers who are passing through must not remain in South Australia for more than 72 hours. Those who are approved must not stay overnight or longer than a one hour period in Coober Pedy, Pt Augusta or Ceduna.
Approved travellers who are passing through must avoid any non-essential contact with people in South Australia other than for the purposes of obtaining food, supplies or fuel. Travellers must wear a mask and get a COVID-19 test within the first 24 hrs of entering the state.
Essential Travellers- Specialist Workers in Essential Sectors
Changes have been made to update the definition of an essential sector to now include ‘commercial construction or maintenance of critical infrastructure including but not limited to major road, rail or marine projects.’
All people travelling to SA must complete the Cross Border Travel Registration form here: https://forms.police.sa.gov.au/Runtime/Runtime/Form/CrossBorderTravel/
It is acknowledged that many restrictions still apply, but they are critical in dealing with the spread of COVID-19.
All existing directions, frequently asked questions and other information can be found here: https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/emergency-declarations
For further information please call the SA COVID-19 Information Line on 1800 253 787 between the hours of 9am to 5pm 7 days per week or go to the SA Health website at www.sahealth.sa.gov.au or www.sa.gov.au/covid-19
