Two COVID-19 Directions have been updated in South Australia in response to the recent New South Wales COVID-19 outbreak.
Updates have been made to the Cross Border Travel and Residential Aged Care Directions. These updates provide prohibited entry for those travelling from New South Wales and requirements for Essential Travellers.
It is important that anyone intending to travel from New South Wales reads the following information.
Cross Border Travel Direction No 26
The Cross Border No 26 Direction comes into effect as of 12.01am on Friday 1 January 2021.
The changes are as follow:
- Entry from New South Wales
- People who have been in New South Wales within 14 days are not permitted to enter South Australia.
- Note- Exemptions are in place for people relocating to reside in South Australia or are South Australian residents returning providing they have not previously entered under this clause. Those people who are Essential Travellers or are escaping domestic violence situations are also permitted to enter South Australia under strict conditions and approval.
- People who have been in Low Community Transmission Zone (ACT, NT, QLD, TAS, VIC, WA or NZ) for the previous 14 days are permitted to transit through Sydney Airport providing they are there for no longer than 2 hrs and are wearing a face mask for the whole time they are in transit (including on the plane). Travelling through New South Wales from a Low Community Transmission Zone is permitted providing the person does not stop in Greater Sydney, they wear a face mask when in contact with public and travel via most direct and practicable route not stopping in any other part of New South Wales unless for emergency/respite/essential purposes.
- People who have been on the waters of the River Murray, New South Wales for 14 days prior to entry into South Australia are permitted (unless they have been on land in NSW or on the boat with a person who has been in New South Wales in the previous 14 days).
- Essential Travellers
- Essential Travellers status is not required for people who have been in Low Community Transmission Zones (ACT, NT, QLD, TAS, VIC, WA or NZ) for the previous 14 days.
- Essential Travellers (those having been in NSW or travelling to NSW who wish to return to SA) will need to apply through the Cross Border Travel Registration and must be approved before entering South Australia. https://www.police.sa.gov.au/online-services/cross-border-travel-application
- Essential Travellers under the Direction include:
- Schedule 1
- National and State security and governance
- Emergency Service Workers (who enter or leave the state in the case of an emergency or in the conduct of their duties)
- Commercial transport and freight services
- Cross border Community Members- those residing in SA or NSW within 100km of the border. SA residents cannot travel more than 100km into NSW. NSW residents can travel more than 100km into SA.
- Schedule 2
- National and State security and governance- New South Wales Residents
- Health Services
- Specialist workers in essential sectors (including seasonal workers)
- Commercial transport and freight services- New South Wales Residents
- Remote or isolated workers- work in New South Wales Locations
- Remote or isolated workers- New South Wales residents who enter South Australia
- Urgent medical, dental or health treatment
- Passing through (providing they have permission from the receiving state, are not in SA for more than 72hrs and do not remain overnight or for more than 1hr in Coober Pedy, Ceduna or Port Augusta and they avoid any non-essential contact with people in SA other than to obtain supplies.
- Compassionate grounds
- Foreign diplomatic or consular staff
- All Essential Travellers under Schedule 2 (other than Remote or isolated workers- New South Wales locations or Remote or isolated workers- New South Wales residents who enter South Australia) must self-quarantine as per Schedule 4 of the Direction when they are not performing their duties/functions/activities or travelling to/from the place.
- Specialist workers in essential sectors who performs work in NSW and returns to SA must self-quarantine for 14 days upon returning. A seasonal worker must self-quarantine upon entry to South Australia whether returning from work or arriving to work.
- Essential Travellers required to self-quarantine may leave South Australia before completing their mandatory 14 days once they have completed their duties/functions/activities.
- Essential Travellers (other than Emergency Services Workers or Health Services or Exempt arrival) must get tested on day 1, 5 and 12 upon arrival in South Australia.
- All Commercial Transport and Freight Services and Cross Border Community Members may opt to receive a COVID-19 test every 7 days. They must show proof of a pending test result, or a test result that is within the last 7 days. Alternatively they can elect to have a test on the day of arrival and day 5 and 12.
- Essential Travellers must wear a surgical face mask covering mouth and nose when they come into contact with the public for 14 days upon entry. Face masks do not need to be worn by National and State Security and Governance, Commercial Transport and freights services, National State security and governance- New South Wales residents (when they are working) and Cross Border Community Members.
- Essential Travellers must keep and retain records of close contacts for a period of 14 days upon arrival. These records must be kept for 28 days. Records do not need to be kept by National and State Security and Governance, Emergency Services Workers, Cross Border Community Members, National and State Security and governance- New South Wales residents or those Passing through.
- For details on Essential Traveller requirements please refer to the Essential Traveller Requirement Table location on the covid-19.sa.gov.au website.
- eople from New South Wales are not permitted to enter an aged care facility (unless they have an exemption and prior approval from the facility and SA Health as a pre-approved essential traveller).
- A person who has entered SA and completed 14 days of quarantine is free to move around SA and also enter a Residential Aged Care Facility.
Residential Aged Care Facilities Direction No 21
The Residential Aged Care Facilities No 21 Direction comes into effect as of 12.01am on Friday 1 January 2021.
The only change to the Residential Aged Care Facilities Direction is:
Other existing requirements remain. The information above only highlights the changes key made to the Directions and does not reflect all requirements. Members of the public are encouraged to see the full Directions for further information.
The Emergency Management (Cross Border Travel No 25) (COVID-19) Direction 2020 has been revoked and replaced by the Emergency Management (Cross Border Travel No 26)(COVID-19) Direction 2020. The Emergency Management (Residential Aged Care Facilities No 20)(COVID-19) Direction has been revoked and replaced by the Emergency Management (Residential Aged Care Facilities No 21)(COVID-19) Direction.
All existing directions, frequently asked questions and other information can be found here: https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/emergency-declarations
If you require further information you can 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
