Five minute guide to South Australia’s shutdown of its borders with Victoria

SA this week shutdown its borders with Victoria amid a worsening outbreak of cases of COVID-19 in Melbourne. Here’s everything you need to know about the new restrictions.

• Victoria now a ‘clear threat’ to SA public health

SA this week shutdown its borders with Victoria amid a worsening outbreak of cases of COVID-19 in Melbourne. Here’s everything you need to know about the new restrictions.

Why are these border restrictions between SA and Victoria taking place?
These border restrictions are taking place due to the significant increase in cases of COVID-19 in Victoria. By enforcing tighter border restrictions between South Australia and Victoria, we minimise risk of COVID-19 entering South Australia.

Will roads into South Australia from Victoria be closed?
Roads from Victoria, both sealed and unsealed roads will have a static check point or hard road blocks to stop people getting into the state. Police patrols will increase in that area of the state and there are discussions with Australian Defence Force to possibly assist in border closures.

Which roads between South Australia and Victoria will have hard road blocks?
SAPOL is still determining which roads will include a hard roadblock.

How long will the new South Australia / Victoria border restrictions be in place for?
It is unknown how long these hard border restriction will be in place – it will be regularly monitored

I am in Victoria and wish to enter South Australia. Am I allowed to?
Only South Australian residents in Victoria will be allowed to enter back into South Australia. Those returning must self quarantine for 14 days.

Those in Victoria who are not SA residents can travel into SA if they carry essential traveller status. However when not carrying out their essential traveller duties, they must quarantine and wear personal protective equipment.

What are the restrictions for truck drivers coming from interstate?

South Australian residents who are truck drivers crossing backwards and forth over the border (whether it be to Victoria or not) don’t have to self-quarantine when they return. They are to minimise time spent in other states and cannot attend disability care, correctional, health care or aged care facility without prior approval.

Residents of Victoria who are truck drivers and provide transport or freight services into, within and out of South Australia(including any crew on such transport or freight services) on a commercial basis are required to wear a mask at all timeswhen in public and must self-quarantine when they are not conducting their duties.

Truck drivers coming from NSW and ACT are not required to self-quarantine when entering South Australia however they mustminimise time spent in South Australia and cannot attend a disability care, correctional, health care or aged care facilitywithout prior approval.

I’m a truck driver, can I bring a family member as a passenger with me in my truck and will they have to self-quarantine upon entry into South Australia?

If someone meets the Essential Traveller status they will be provided with an Essential

Traveller form. Passengers (such as children, partner, friend or family member) are not

deemed Essential Travellers and will be subject to 14 days self-quarantine at a nominated

address in South Australia.

Where can I self-quarantine?

You must directly travel to your chosen self- quarantine place and stay there for 14 days.

You must ensure no-one else enters or stays at the place you are self-quarantining unless:

* they usually live at the place and you need to provide care /support to

them, or receive support/care from them; or

* they are also self-quarantining; or

* your house is appropriately set up so you do not have contact with other people.

I have entered South Australia from Victoria. Is it mandatory to get tested?

No, it is not mandatory but people coming from Victoria are being asked to get a COVID-19 test within the first 24 hours ofarriving, and again on day 12 of their 14 day self-quarantine period. However, if you are experiencing the following symptoms,no matter how mild, get tested for COVID-19: Fever or chills, Cough, sore throat, Runny nose, shortness of breath, loss oftaste or smell.

I am an Essential Traveller and have submitted the Cross Border Travel Registration but am yet to get my confirmation of status? Can I still enter South Australia?

If you have already completed the Cross Border Travel Registration, please commence your travel plans to South Australia and have all relevant documentation/evidence available to present to SA Police. On arrival in South Australia, Essential Travellerswill be processed by SA Police to verify identification and their purpose of travel.

I am a South Australian resident and want to return home from Victoria? Am I allowed to?

Yes. South Australians are able to return home but will need to self-quarantine for 14 days.

You must be able to prove that South Australia is your place of residence.

Half of my farm is in South Australia, the other half Victoria, can we use prohibited roads to access our farm?

Primary Producers living on the South Australia / Victoria border are able to use otherwise prohibited roads when they aretravelling to parts of their property to check stock or undertake farming activities. Those roads are not open to other membersof the community.

I am a Victorian resident and want to come to South Australia? Can I?

No. Victorian residents are not permitted to enter South Australia unless they are an Essential Traveller.

What happens if someone breaches their requirements to minimise the spread of COVID-19?
Anyone caught breaching their requirements to minimise the spread of COVID0-19 will be subject to a warning and/or expiation notice by the relevant authority.

Source: SA Police / SA Health