Covid Q & A: Everything you need to know on the Covid restrictions reintroduced to SA on July 16, 2021
Can I travel interstate? Do I need to wear a mask now? Can I go to work? We bust the confusion with our Q&A on the latest changes to SA rules.
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SA Premier Steven Marshall announced new restrictions on Thursday in addition to those introduced when an Adelaide family tested positive to the Delta strain last month.
Here we answer your Covid questions on restrictions and the delta strain.
What are the travel restrictions for SA/Vic border?
From now on, only returning South Australians will be allowed to travel from Victoria back into the state.
Those who visited Greater Melbourne, Geelong and Bacchus Marsh must quarantine for 14 days at home and get tested on days one, five and 13 after their arrival.
South Australians who visited other parts of Victoria will be subject to level three restrictions, so no need to quarantine but must get tested on days one, five and 13 after arriving.
Travellers can transit through Melbourne Airport without needing to quarantine.
The 70-kilometre bubble will remain for residents of border communities.
What are the restrictions for other borders?
SA has closed the border to NSW/ACT/South-East QLD. Only essential travellers allowed.
South Aussies can travel wherever they want within their home state.
For more information on cross border travel restrictions visit here.
What are the current restrictions for SA?
Density for licensed venues back to 1 per 2 sqm or 50 per cent capacity, but no cap.
People can drink alcohol while standing.
Home and private gatherings capped at 150 or 50 per cent capacity, includes functions such as weddings and funerals.
Ban on singing and dancing.
Masks must be worn indoors if venues are above 50 per cent capacity and in “high risk settings” such as aged care and correctional facilities.
Masks must be worn at personal care services, such as beauty salons and hairdressers
Masks are not mandatory, but recommended, on public transport.
For more information on public restrictions visit here.
Who needs to wear a mask?
People attending health care, residential care, disability support or aged-care services must wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth at all times when in the physical presence of other people on the premises. This includes care providers, patients, clients, residents, administration and other staff, employees, visitors, students, contractors and any other person on the site.
And masks are back for venues of high-density – so in the cinema or live theatre where there is fixed seating and an audience more than 50 per cent – and also mandatory in nail salons, tattoo parlours, hairdressers and similar businesses.
Who should not wear a mask?
Masks should not be worn by children under the age of two or anyone with trouble breathing, unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without help. Children under the age of 12 are not required to wear a mask because they may not be able to handle it properly.
Can I go and sing at a karaoke bar?
No, choirs and karaoke and other organised singing is banned. But scheduled performances on the stage are fine, as is singing lessons or singing for educational purposes – so school music classes are fine.
What if I’m standing at a bar, can I drink alcohol?
Yes – you can stand while consuming alcohol.
But I can get up and have a boogie on the dancefloor?
No, sorry. Dancing is not permitted in nightclubs or licenced premises, nor weddings.
Why is Delta such a concern?
The Delta strain is thought to be between 40 to 60 per cent more contagious than the Alpha strain, which was a previous concern. The Delta variant has mutated and can attach to human cells more easily. The World Health Organisation has said the strain is the “fastest and fittest” spreading variant so far. It can spread within seconds of strangers passing each other.
Do Delta’s symptoms differ?
In addition to the higher transmissibility, there are anecdotal reports from India that the Delta variant is more severe in children than the so-called Alpha strain. And doctors treating patients in India have reported disturbing new symptoms, including gangrene and hearing loss.
Do vaccines work for the Delta variant?
Top US infectious disease scientist Dr Anthony Fauci called the variant the “greatest threat” to efforts to control the virus and called for an acceleration in vaccinations, US media reports. While several studies have shown that vaccines are slightly less effective against Delta, they are still highly effective, but only after the second dose.
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