Covid masks set to remain for Adelaide public transport users
Many South Aussies may soon be free of unpopular Covid masks, but Adelaide commuters could be stuck with them for the long haul.
Coronavirus
Don't miss out on the headlines from Coronavirus. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Public transport passengers are set to be forced to still wear masks despite a broad easing of face coverings amid mounting hope the Covid-19 wave of Omicron cases has peaked.
State Cabinet’s Emergency Management Council will on Tuesday debate mask rules, hospital capacity and the overhaul of Covid-related laws.
Police Commissioner, Grant Stevens, as state co-ordinator, is set to scrap mandatory masks for most indoor public locations on Thursday.
This will likely include retail shops, supermarkets and licensed venues such as pubs and clubs as well as personal care locations including hairdressers or beauty salons.
But senior government sources said masks will likely stay on public transport and high-risk locations such as hospitals and health, aged or disability care facilities.
Several options for schools, which are not subject to legal directions, are being explored.
This may include mask rules for special needs students, disability units and Aboriginal classes, keeping for specific ages or deeming the wider system as high-risk.
Final decisions will occur after chief public health officer, Nicola Spurrier, presents updated advice for school masks and wider case data.
Professor Spurrier’s “main focus” is on advice for protecting “vulnerable” people such as the elderly and public transport users but she has not yet decided on schools.
The latest Omicron wave appears to be peaking after SA Health on Saturday reported 4,777 cases – a 15 per cent fall on Friday’s 5,666 infections and almost 30 per cent fewer than Thursday’s 6,091 record.
Official modelling forecast a peak of between 5500 and 7000 cases. The hospital rate – the most important indicator – is falling although two new patients were admitted to ICU.
Last night 201 patients were in hospital – down one in a day.
The level of active, or infectious patients, hit a new record of 37,053 people while a woman in her 90s died.
Officials accept while the surge of sick children has sparked widespread chaos and family inconvenience, it is not causing clinical problems or fuelling hospital surges.
Education Department chiefs will also present the EMC with a teacher survey on masks and mandatory vaccinations to help write new rules.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said officials hope school holidays, which start this week at Easter, will provide a “circuit breaker” for student infections.
“We don’t want to see school return and case numbers explode again,” he said.
Data shows 10 schools are closed – down from 15 last week – but seven will enforce home schooling on Monday.
The EMC will also consider Crown law advice on changes to the state’s Covid and Public Health laws once the Emergency Declaration is scrapped.
A “standard” quarantine rule may occur as the Public Health Act requires Prof Spurrier to sign off each isolation case. SA Health has allowed close contact GPs, dentist and pharmacists to leave isolation early subject to testing rules.
More Coverage
Join the conversation
‘It can be fatal’: Health warning for SA babies as RSV spike climbs
A health alert has been issued to SA parents after a shock spike in RSV cases presenting to emergency rooms – with more than half being young children under the age of 5.
Read more
New emergency ‘threats’ putting SA at risk, landmark inquiry finds
The Covid pandemic, River Murray flood crisis, bushfires and statewide blackout were all declared major emergencies over past 20 years. Now, a major inquiry identifies new threats risking state.
Read more