The activities unvaccinated South Australians could be banned from participating in when borders open

Where Covid has hit badly in Australia, proof of vaccination has followed to allow a return to “normal” life — is this a glimpse of what summer holds for SA as we throw open the borders?

Proof of Australia’s fractured federation can be found at the pub.

Go for a drink in Adelaide and you might be asked if you scanned the QR code.

Go for a drink in Sydney and you now have to carry proof of double vaccination.

However, this could be a glimpse of summer in SA as borders open and Covid arrives, and it is not just pubs.

In NSW, which unlike SA has a published road map for easing restrictions, from October 11 you need to carry proof of double vaccination to go to a restaurant, cafe, cellar door, kiosk, food court, microbrewery, casino, hair dresser, nail salon, beauty salon, indoor recreational facility, zoo, aquarium, showground, racecourse, motor racing track, theme park, gym, squash court, health studio, ice rink, bowling alley — and sports stadiums.

The unvaccinated are allowed to collect takeaways.

SA has no such mandatory restrictions — yet.

In NSW you’ll also need proof of double vaccination to attend an outdoor event; ride in a vehicle or vessel with people other than your household; and if you want to go for a picnic it can be with your household or just one other person, unless you have had two shots.

In NSW you cannot visit another person’s place of residence except in limited circumstances without proof of being fully vaccinated and you can only shop at listed “critical retail premises”.

You also must carry evidence of being fully vaccinated to go to a place of worship, or attend a wedding or funeral.

SA Health chief executive Dr Chris McGowan this week told a parliamentary hearing South Australia does not have a published road map for easing restrictions but authorities are being open about changes in changing circumstances.

While relatively Covid-free, South Australia has some requirements for mandatory vaccination — but expect more as everyone from sporting bodies to corporations move down this path.

At present there is a requirement for all aged care workers to be fully vaccinated, as well as medi-hotel workers and airport workers in “red zones” who may come into contact with infectious passengers.

Commercial transport and freight workers arriving by road now must have evidence of having at least one jab.

All South Australian hospital workers have to be fully vaccinated by the end of next month in a SAPOL direction that applies to all people engaging in duties at a healthcare setting including clinicians, ambulance workers, allied health workers, cleaners, administrative and executive staff and students undertaking placement.

The rules cover public and private hospitals and apply regardless of whether a person works directly with patients or not.

Dr McGowan said: “Planning is underway to extend this direction to the rest of the healthcare sector, including all other community and private health care settings. This will include general practices, pharmacies, allied health, dental and private pathology and imaging and the Department for Health and Wellbeing.”

Adelaide Hills winery Bird in Hand has lead the private enterprise charge with a requirement that all staff and visitors be vaccinated from November 15.

Both the Australian Hotels Association and Business SA say such decisions are up to individual operators, as does Premier Steven Marshall — while stressing vaccination is the pathway out of the pandemic.

News Corporation SA, publisher of The Advertiser, requires all staff who have client contact — such as reporters and photographers — to be vaccinated by the start of 2022.

Passengers on Qantas international flights will have to be fully vaccinated, and P&O Cruises Australia, which is waiting for a clear pathway from the federal government to resume cruising, will only take vaccinated passengers when it does set sail including from Adelaide.

In Victoria, AFL and AFLW staff have to have at least one jab by Friday, and the writing is on the wall for Crows and Power staff with AFL boss Gillon McLachlan saying: “We see it as our path out and our policy will reflect that.”

The NBL has a 99 per cent player first-dose vaccination rate without enforcing a mandatory requirement.

Tertiary education providers in SA are considering the options — UniSA is now surveying staff on the requirement of mandatory vaccination.