SA’s roadmap out of Covid unveiled as ‘significant tensions’ emerge among the state’s transition committee

Watch the replay of the announcement of SA’s long-awaited roadmap out of Covid – coming just hours after sources revealed “significant tensions” over the plan.

South Australia’s roadmap out of Covid-19 restrictions have been unveiled.

Authorities fast-tracked the decision to announce the new roadmap after earlier considering publicly releasing details later in the week.

The decision came hours after The Advertiser revealed major “conflicts” over the plan and leaked details about what was being considered.

WATCH THE PRESS CONFERENCE REPLAY

The roadmap, which has been subject of intense debate and “significant tensions” among members of the state’s transition committee, will see the state’s hard borders with NSW, Victoria and ACT, as well as international travel, lifted on November 23.

That’s the new date when the key 80 per cent vaccination target is now forecast to be hit.

It will further see most restrictions scrapped once we hit 90 per cent.

READ THE FULL ROADMAP DETAILS HERE

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens and chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier are both influential figures on the state’s transition committee. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dean Martin

‘SIGNIFICANT TENSIONS’ OVER REOPENING

South Australia’s top Covid-19 officials are grappling with what restrictions will be needed when the Delta strain of Covid-19 hits, amid “significant tensions” over the state’s road map out of the pandemic.

The transition committee, which meets on Tuesday, is developing new rules for when SA hits the magic 80 per cent vaccination target.

But senior government sources have revealed “significant tensions” between committee officials, who have yet to formalise the road map.

Officials are investigating a “buffer zone” of up to three months of “marginal” changes after borders lift, allowing SA Health to monitor how hospitals were coping with Covid.

Different time frames have been proposed but no decisions reached, sources said.

SA Health also needed to be confident on its contact tracing and Covid testing systems.

At present, licensed venues can operate at 75 per cent density while home gatherings are capped at 20 people.

Social dancing is banned except at functions as well as standing while drinking alcohol.

Sources say the “conflict” is over SA Health’s refusal to sign off any easing of internal directions due to Delta strain risks.

“All is not well in Camelot,” one source said in reference to the 12th Century castle and court linked to King Arthur.

Health, economic, and regional affairs advice, as well as Doherty institute modelling, will be taken into account when Police Commissioner Grant Stevens, the state co-ordinator, decides what restrictions can be eased.

They said it was “too early to call” whether public mask use, such as on transport or in retails shops will be scrapped, or if density limits and home gathering numbers could ease.

Mr Stevens said different ideas needed to be “tested and thrown against each other” to come to the best solution.

“You might look at that as an observer and say ‘there’s a lot of tension there’ but it’s people … who are thrashing out concepts to land on a set of recommendations that can be put to me,” Mr Stevens said.

“You would be critical if all of these people came along and they were all singing from the same hymn sheet and it was going through the motions.

“I think that would not be providing the right level of service to the community.”

Industry leaders want the road map to be published immediately to give certainty on what SA faces.

Officials say the “Covid-ready plan” is due for release later this week, likely Friday or possibly into next week.

Declining to comment on any talks, Mr Stevens said the committee had the “broadest representation” and was close to a “position”.

“We’re going through a process now where those different perspectives are weighed against each other to identify the best course of action … as we permit Covid-19 to come into our community,” he said.