COVID-19 CONFUSION BUSTER: We answer some of the big questions that have confused our readers today

Confused? We’re here to help. Whether you’re a casual contact or trying to find the QR code app, we’ve got you covered with our COVID-19 confusion buster.

Are you confused?

There are three words on South Australian’s lips at the moment: “Sorry, what now?”

Even for those of us who have become expert at quickly absorbing and responding to the many challenges COVID has thrown at us, the last few days in SA have been confusing, to say the least.

We’ve had a man accused of breaching quarantine one day, then receiving a public apology from our top public health official the next because he did nothing wrong; we’ve learned of a multitude of different restrictions for close contacts and casual contacts; and we’ve seen the introduction of a QR code system that is baffling many.

At a time when clear communication and easy-to-remember public directives are critical, many South Australians are in a state of confusion.

So The Advertiser has put together the COVID-19 Confusion Buster. If we’ve missed a scenario or something still doesn’t make sense, let us know in the comments box below and we’ll try and get an answer.

QR CODES

Which businesses actually need to display a QR code?

All businesses with a COVID-safe plan will need a QR code displayed. Businesses will be emailed an updated plan including their QR code. Yes, it’s mandatory. Yes, businesses could be fined for failing to do so.

Do I need to check in at the supermarket or Bunnings?

Currently, no. But SA’s Police Commissioner says the QR code system could be implemented at those places in future. Just to break it down for you.  Under the Public Activities COVID-19 Direction, any business or venue that is defined as being a “defined public activity” must have a COVID Safe Plan. And any business with a COVID-safe plan must implement the QR code tracing system. Places that are excluded from the list of defined public activities - and therefore exempt from the QR code system – include; public transport, airports, emergency services, workplaces including offices and factories, schools, universities and childcare facilities, hotels and food markets and supermarkets.  

What if a customer refuses to use the app?

Customers, of course, have the right not to enter any shop or business where the QR code check in is required. But businesses, too, have the right to refuse service or entry to anyone who refuses to use the app or check in.. Businesses face fines for flagrant breaches of the rules.

Do I need to check in using the QR code if I’m just going out for a take away coffee? Or picking up take away food and not dining in?

Yes. Regardless of how long you are in a venue you need to check in.

This app takes a while to sign up to if I don’t already have a mySA GOV account. Do I really need it?

You can download the app and select the COVID SAfe Check-In tile when you arrive at a venue or business. You do not need a mySA GOV account to use the QR code function of the app. But you can also scan the QR Code with your camera app on your phone and it will take you to the government’s website to check in.

Will it work on my smartwatch?

No, not at this stage.

My kid isn’t old enough to sign up to mySA GOV account - how are they supposed to check in on QR codes?

If you are with your child, just you need to check in. If, however, your child is without a guardian, they will need to check in - manually using the ol’ style pen and paper check in, which all businesses are required to have.

How can I access technical support?

If you’re experiencing issues with the mySA GOV app, or require further information, contact Service SA on 1300 450 422 (Monday to Friday) during business hours.

What do I do if we haven’t received our venue’s QR Code yet? We’ve tried calling Services SA on the phone but are not getting through?

You should have received your QR Code via email by now. If you haven’t, please email [e-mail].

Who was confused by the email from health authorities today about new QR codes and implementing covid plans?

Sorry, what now? An excerpt of the official State Government email sent to businesses with their new QR codes today.

Some of our readers and business owners were confused as it appears to say you are “legally required” to implement your plan or “face a fine” if you don’t, and in the next paragraph, says there is “no specific requirement to implement” COVID plan recommendations. Well, we asked the question, and as part of every COVID plan, additional recommendations are made by SA Health, above and beyond your legal requirements, to strengthen your plan. For example, SA Health recommends gyms use fans but it it not a legal requirement as part of their COVID plans. So there you have it. Your official COVID-safe plan is a legal requirement. SA Health’s additional recommendations are not.

MORE ON ALL YOUR QR QUESTIONS HERE

CASUAL CONTACT V CLOSE CONTACT- WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

It depends where you’ve been and the time you spent at locations identified by SA Health as being potential COVID hotspots.

Close contact

A close contact is generally defined as someone who has been face to face for at least 15 minutes, or been in the same closed space for at least two hours, as someone who has tested positive for the COVID-19 when that person was infectious (source: SA Health FAQs). Anyone in this situation and people who live with them MUST quarantine and MUST get tested on day 1 and 12 of quarantine.

Casual contact

A casual contact is someone who has been in the same general area as someone who has tested positive for the coronavirus while infectious. You are a casual contact if you have had less than 15 minutes face-to-face contact in any setting with a confirmed case in the 24 hours period before the onset of their symptoms; or you have shared a closed space with a confirmed case for less than two hours in the 24 hours period before the onset of their symptoms. (Source: Department of Health fact sheet). Casual contacts are still monitored but not directed to go into 14 days home isolation. Sometimes casual contacts get converted into close contacts and get directed to quarantine.

The Parafield cluster

In relation to the Parafield Cluster, there are two levels of casual contacts. One group has to be tested immediately, even WITHOUT symptoms, and isolate until results are known. This group includes those who visited locations where an infectious person was known to have been.

Those locations are:

*Flinders University Sturt Campus from November 13 to 28

*Big W Brickworks, November 22, 12.15pm to 12.50pm

*Foodland Norwood, nov 22, 1.20pm to 2pm or

*Kmart Kurralta Park 2.45pm to 3.10pm.

The other group needs to get tested immediately IF symptoms appear and isolate until results are known.

This group is those who visited:

*On the Run Hilton, Hilton Nov 22, 12.05pm to 12.15pm

*Anaconda, Mile End, Nov 22, 12.55pm to 1.05pm

*Guzman y Gomez, Glandore, Nov 22, 2.45pm to 2.50pm

*Glenelg Boost Juice, Glenelg, Nov 22, 3.20pm to 3.30pm.

What if I’m not a close or casual contact but I’ve been tested?

Stay at home until your test result comes through. If you get a negative (yay!), quietly celebrate then get back to your normal life. Positive (uh oh), seek medical treatment and self-quarantine immediately.

RESTRICTIONS

I’m throwing a house party:

Sorry, the guest list is still capped at 10, unless more than 10 people permanently live at the home. But then you wouldn’t be able to invite anyone over, anyway.

But I have a big house and a massive back lawn!

It doesn’t matter, the same cap of 10 people applies.

How about for weddings and a funeral?

Private functions, including weddings and funerals at licensed premises are capped at 150 people with a maximum of 1 person per 2 sqm. You can nosh and drink while standing and dust off the dance shoes, ‘cause you can boogie too.

I need a drink to understand all this - can I go to the pub?

Patron caps of 150 have been lifted for venues who use QR code readers to register customers. But there will still be density restrictions. Food and drink must be consumed while sitting indoors but it’s okay to stand in the beer garden, as long as that’s outdoors and not enclosed. Oh, and don’t share food, it’s still a no-no.

I’m still spinning out - what about my spin class?

Just in time for summer, fitness and recreation activities can resume from today – including going to the gym. Public swimming pools are restricted to no more than 50 people in a pool at any one time.

So that’s ok but what about the kids?

Children amusement centres, such as play cafes, are still a no-go zone.

Maybe we should just go camping with the kids then:

Good idea. There is a six person limit per site and no more than six visitors. Children aged under 16 not counted in the cap.

MASKS

To wear or not to wear? Why can’t there be a straight answer to that question?

We’ll do our best. People attending health care, residential care, disability support or aged care services must wear a mask, which 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. Workers at hairdressers, barbers, beauty and nail salons, tattoo parlours, wellness centres, day spas, massage parlours, saunas, bathhouses and any other place where beauty therapy, tanning, waxing, piercing or body modification takes place must wear a mask. And while it’s not mandatory, SA Health is asking everyone to put on a mask when going out in public, especially among crowds.

What kind of mask is acceptable?

There was a bit of confusion around this this week with reports people were being refused entry into shops and chemists for wearing re-usable cloth masks, instead of single-use surgical masks. On Wednesday, Prof Spurrier said the confusion was caused by the wording of an old public health directive that had been in place when SA’s border to Victoria was closed. She said the wording of the directive would be quickly fixed to remove the specific reference to surgical masks, allowing people to use a re-usable cloth mask - the kind she uses herself.

READ MORE ABOUT MASK RULES HERE

AND ALL ABOUT HOW TO PUT THEM ON AND WASH THEM HERE

TRAVEL

SA-VIC border

So, South Australia has opened up its border with Victoria. Does that mean I can travel to Victoria without needing to go into quarantine when I get there?

Well, if you live in a border community you are are able to travel up to 70km inside state borders but must display a special border community permit, or a driver’s licence with an address within 70kms of the border. You can also enter Victoria if you are providing or receiving emergency medical care or providing or receiving an emergency service.

Non-border residents who don’t live within 70kms of the border, you can still travel to Victoria but you need a permit.

A permit? I thought I could just go visit?

No, you still need a permit and getting one is not guaranteed. It depends where in South Australia you live and the places you’ve visited. The Victorian Government has carved SA up into zones. Green, Orange and Red.

Green Zone: The green zone is all of South Australia outside the Adelaide metro area. If you have visited a location in this zone, you’re all good - you can get a Victorian Border Crossing Permit.

Orange Zone: The Orange Zone covers the whole of the Adelaide metro area NOT including areas in the Red Zone, which we’ll get to shortly. If you’ve visited areas in the Orange Zone, the Victorian Government “strongly” advises that you get a COVID test before you travel and then you can get a Victoria Border Crossing Permit.

The Red Zone: If you want to travel to Victoria, the Red Zone is bad news for you. The Red Zone includes all areas designated as a high-risk COVID hot spot area. You can see those locations here. If you’ve visited one of these areas, you will not be admitted into Victoria. Not only that, you must quarantine and seek testing. The only way you’ll be allowed into Victoria under these conditions is if Victoria’s Chief Health Officer grants you an exemption.

If I’m eligible for a permit to Visit Victoria, how do I get one?

You can apply here:

And how about my great mates over in Victoria wanting to pay me a visit? What can they do?

The wait is over, they can surge across our borders to the promised land without having to undertake 14 days of self-quarantine. Oh, and so too can visitors from other major cities, with border restrictions lifted. And yes, they can use the QR Codes too. If they’re confused how, just show them this article!