Coronavirus control in South Australia: What people now need to do in isolation
So for those people in self isolation – what can you do? What can’t you? Our guide to self isolating, latest restrictions and border controls.
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How do I self-isolate effectively?
You should stay indoors unless seeking medical care, in which case you should wear a surgical mask when you leave the house.
Cleaning is also important to minimise the spread of germs. The Department of Health recommends using detergent or disinfectant to clean surfaces that are frequently touched such as door handles, and bathroom and kitchen areas.
Only people who usually live with you should be in the home, according to the Department of Health. You should not invite visitors over, and if you are in a hotel, avoid contact with other guests or staff.
If you require food, groceries or medication, ask friends or family who are not in self-isolation to collect them for you.
A number of food delivery services including Deliveroo, Menulog, UberEats and DoorDash are now offering contact-free delivery to minimise exposure.
You should request for any orders to be left at your doorstep.
Can I be in a house with my family even if they aren’t self-isolating?
Others who live with you are not required to self-isolate/self-quarantine. However, if you develop symptoms and are suspected to have COVID-19, other household members will be classified as close contacts and will then also need to self-isolate.
Can we use the same utensils and bathroom?
Make sure you have separate items like plates and cutlery. Wash dishes using the dishwasher or wash well in hot soapy water.
Can I go outside at all?
Those living in a private house are safe to spend time in their garden or courtyard, or on their balcony if they live in an apartment or townhouse.
But no, you should also not walk your dog.
How do I reduce boredom?
The Department of Health recommends keeping in touch with family and friends via social media, telephone or email.
Exercise it also important, with the Department recommending dancing, floor exercises, yoga, and using home exercise equipment or DVDs.
Professor Mike Kyrios of Flinders University’s Órama Institute of Mental Health, Wellbeing and Neuroscience said: “Remain in touch with people through social media or a simple phone call. Share your experiences to facilitate support, or use the best of Australian humour to lighten the situation. Dinners or dessert and coffee over Skype are always a hoot!”
“It can be particularly useful to timetable periods of Time Out to minimise the ongoing stress of being in a limited space with others for long periods,” Prof Kyrios said.
He said it was important to relax through mindfulness and yoga strategies, and to also remain active.
“Breathing and muscular relation exercises, mindfulness training, dancing, yoga and playing musical instruments are a few available strategies that are effective,” he said.
“Find opportunities in the home to undertake some exercise. Alternatively, entertain yourself by catching up on some reading, streaming services, digital or board games, hobbies, or playing music.
What if I get sick?
You should arrange to see a doctor.
“You should telephone the health clinic or hospital before you arrive and tell them your travel history or that you have been in contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus,” the Department says.
“You must remain isolated either in your home, hotel or a healthcare setting until public health authorities inform you it is safe for you to return to your usual activities.”
How do you self-isolate if you’re in a family home?
Isolate yourself from others at home and use a separate bathroom, if available. Wash clothes and bed linen in separate load using hot water. Eat your meals in your room and make sure you have separate plates and cutlery. Regularly clean frequently touched items with detergent or disinfectant, ie: television remote, light switches.
What is the policing of returned traveller restarting testing and quarantine?
Reports can be made to police about suspected breaches of self-quarantine and isolation orders and businesses not complying with restrictions. Police undertake random compliance checks but do not discuss specific operational requirements.
What is the penalty if you skip testing or quarantine?
Individuals found breaking virus-related restrictions face a $1000 fine. The cost to a body corporate is $5000. More serious breaches can involve prosecutions and fines of up to $75,000.
What are the current rules around who has to self-isolate and who goes into hotel quarantine?
Overseas travellers are required to quarantine at their own expense in a “medi-hotel” which currently includes the Pullman Hotel, Hindmarsh Square, Peppers Hotel, Waymouth St and previously the Playford Hotel on North Terrace. The Adelaide Rockford Hotel is expected to be used. Interstate travellers can isolate in their homes. Any person who has contracted COVID-19 quarantines in a hotel.
How will I get paid if I’m sick and can’t work?
Full-time and part-time employees infected with the coronavirus can take paid sick leave.
Employees in those categories can also take paid carers leave to look after a member of their household who is sick with the coronavirus.
What happens when the isolation period ends?
You can leave your home and hotel and return to things like work, school and the gym if you have self-isolated for 14 days and not experienced any symptoms.
Your GP can supply you with a medical certificate if you require one.
How does the testing work when you arrive from interstate?
Non-essential travellers from NSW/ACT are required to have a test on day one and day 12 upon entry to SA, and must remain in self-quarantine for 14 days. When travellers arrive they will be provided with two referral forms to undertake the mandatory tests.
Essential travellers with approval to enter SA must obtain a test as soon as possible within seven days. They must produce evidence of having a test or a test result, that is no more than seven days old, when requested by an authorised officer. Only essential travellers are allowed to enter from Victoria.
Do you need a GP referral to get a test?
No, you are able to attend mobile test sites without a referral.
What is the punishment for breaches of self-isolation/quarantine rules?
Any person found to be in breach of COVID-19 restrictions faces a minimum $1000 fine or $5000 for a body corporate. More serious breaches can incur higher fines or prosecution.
Why doesn’t everyone entering SA have to go into a hotel to keep the rest of us safe?
CPHO Nicola Spurrier has said that the volume of people entering SA meant it was not feasible or logistically possible to house everyone in a hotel. Police and SA Health say there are not enough resources to supervise people in quarantine and that there are regular checks made on anyone in isolation after travellinging from interstate.
Who has to get tested within 24 hours of entering SA? What is the punishment for non-compliance?
Any traveller entering SA from Victoria is required to undertake a COVID-19 test on their first day in isolation and then again on the 12th day. Punishment is $1000 for refusing a test. Latest police figures show eight people have been penalised for refusing a test.
Different restaurants ask for different levels of detail on customers (eg some ask for everyone’s contact in a dining group, some for just one person in a group)? What is the actual requirement?
SA Health advises business owners to have adequate records that allow for contact tracing of patrons in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak. The level is left to a business’ discretion.
What would a move back to one person per 4sq m mean for restaurants and pubs? Could they survive?
Australian Hotels Association (AHA) boss Ian Horne says:
“The current one in 2sq m is effectively 50 per cent of their normal capacity. If you go back to one in four, that’s 25 per cent of the normal capacity. Therefore there wouldn’t be a hotel, cafe or restaurant in SA that was viable.”
What now?
From 12.01am last Wednesday:
■ Home gatherings will be reduced from 50 people to 10
■ Pubs, bars and restaurants will only be able to serve alcohol to patrons who are seated
What next?
The new restrictions are not expected to be the last, as Premier Steven Marshall has flagged that the powerful Transition Committee is closely monitoring the effectiveness of other measures. The committee is expected to meet again on Friday.
Density
Pubs, hotels and restaurants may face further measures than the restriction to only serve seated patrons.
Mr Marshall said SA was “looking very closely at the density arrangements for our licensed venues”.
Currently, all businesses must ensure numbers are limited to at least 2sq m per person, and that people stay at least 1.5m apart.
Special attention would focus on fitness studios and attendance at football games, Mr Marshall said. Adelaide Oval’s capacity is likely to be reduced.
Caps of 100 people for weddings and funerals were reintroduced on July 29.
Borders
The committee will consider tightening restrictionson travellers. At the moment, the border with Victoria is only open to essential travellers.
Checkpoints operate at the airport and on 21 roads, with cross-border travel banned on all other entry points.
A 40km limit inside SA applies to people living in border communities.
Travellers from NSW and the ACT must self-quarantine for 14 days after entry into SA and must submit for COVID-19 testing on days one and 12.
A 50km limit applies to border communities.
Travel from Queensland, Tasmania, WA and the NT is not restricted.
“Queensland is absolutely on top of the potential risks they have up there but we continue to monitor it,” Mr Marshall said. He also praised NSW and did not expect change on that front.
Aged care
Nursing homes and other aged-care facilities are regarded as highly vulnerable to the spread of infection.
Visitors must have had a flu vaccination, must keep visits short, can only go to a resident’s room, outdoors or specially designated areas.
Only two visitors at a time are allowed.
Schools
Education Department chief executive Rick Persse has written to all staff saying it was understandable if they were concerned.
The department was ready to act swiftly on SA Health advice.
Social distancing
Restrictions were imposed on Wednesday that reduced the number of people being allowed to gather in private homes to 10 and a ban on drinking at the bar in pubs.
There was speculation more restrictions around density limits might be imposed on Friday, such as 1 person per 4sq m.
Caps of 100 people for weddings and funerals and 50 for gatherings in private homes were reintroduced on July 29.