Rapid Covid-19 testing rolled out in SA for interstate truckies, quarantine rules for Brisbane travellers

SA has cracked down on travellers from Brisbane and several other Queensland areas after a new case emerged there.

Arrivals to SA who have been in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Moreton Bay and Logan City since September 17 have been told to isolate after a new case emerged in southern Queensland.

All arrivals must now isolate until a Covid test shows negative and then be tested on days five and 13. They must also not attend a high-risk event or an event with a Covid Management plan for 14 days.

The order follows a new locally acquired infection in Queensland – a man in his 50s who is a close contact of another known case. Four new cases were reported on Tuesday.

Chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young said a NSW truck driver who tested positive “regularly moved” between the Gold Coast and Sydney and “stopped along the way at a lot of communities”.

He had been infectious in the community between September 25 and 27.

It comes as special “rapid” Covid-19 testing is being used in South Australia for the first time at the state’s borders, and a formal review of the shambolic travel exemption system is launched.

SA Health has introduced rapid antigen tests for interstate truck drivers who are not fully vaccinated or who do not have evidence of a negative Covid test in the past 72 hours.

The tests, which can produce results within 20 minutes, must be followed up by “gold-standard” PCR nose swab due to the risk of false results.

Truckies are informed by SMS of the results of both tests, but will get the rapid test within about 20 minutes.

SA Health says there is a risk of a false positive and negative results with the rapid antigen test and can’t be used as a sole diagnosis.

“These tests have been implemented at some South Australian border sites because they are easy to perform and provide a rapid result,” an SA Pathology spokeswoman said.

It follows news that do-it yourself rapid antigen tests would be available in Australian homes from November. Therapeutic Goods Administration head Professor John Skerritt said the regulator was working with manufacturers, states and territory as a priority to ensure “reliable safe use of these tests at home”.

The do-it yourself tests are widely available in the UK and US, but are only currently used in Australia under medical supervision.

“it is anticipated that 70 per cent of Australians across the country will be double vaccinated, triggering phase B of the National plan by the end of October,” Mr Skerritt said.

“Therefore a new regulation will be made … permitting the sale and use of home tests after 1 November 2021.”

Interstate truck drivers have been the sole source of the Delta strain entering SA for months, with hundreds of exposure sites named and thousands of people forced into quarantine

The details emerged as the backlog of people seeking travel exemptions ballooned to more than 8100 applications, many of which were lodged more than six weeks ago.

SA Health data shows at least 6000 people are waiting for a permit assessment while a further 2100 applications require more information or are about to be processed.

A truck driver is tested for Covid at the state’s border last year. Picture: Tom Huntley

Service SA, which handles licences and government administration, is reviewing the exemptions system including how to streamline processes.

“A senior officer has been seconded from Service SA, and further staff and resources may be deployed as required,” an SA Health spokeswoman said.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens, said the transition committee on Tuesday discussed the backlog but made no decisions on its operations.

He later told FIVEaa radio that SA Health was “doing a very good job” in ensuring travellers didn’t pose any risk.