SA’s COVID-19 questions answered: What’s changed, what’s coming and what you want to know
Coronavirus is back in South Australia and so are tough measures to fight it. Here’s what we know, what we don’t and the answers to your burning questions about the new rules.
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Tougher coronavirus restrictions are set to be reimposed on South Australians from tonight, with stricter limits on home gatherings and drinking at the bar to return.
And further tightening is being considered, Premier Steven Marshall says.
Here’s what we know so far, what we’re still waiting to hear and answers to the four hottest burning questions on the minds of South Australians.
What now?
From 12.01am Wednesday:
■ Home gatherings will be reduced from 50 people to 10
■ Pubs, bars and restaurants will only be able to serve alcohol to patrons who are seated
What next?
The new restrictions are not expected to be the last, as Premier Steven Marshall has flagged that the powerful Transition Committee is closely monitoring the effectiveness of other measures. The committee is expected to meet again on Friday.
DENSITY
Pubs, hotels and restaurants may face further measures than the restriction to only serve seated patrons.
Mr Marshall said SA was “looking very closely at the density arrangements for our licensed venues”.
Currently, all businesses must ensure numbers are limited to at least 2sq m per person, and that people stay at least 1.5m apart.
Special attention would focus on fitness studios and attendance at football games, Mr Marshall said. Adelaide Oval’s capacity is likely to be reduced.
Caps of 100 people for weddings and funerals were reintroduced on July 29.
BORDERS
The committee will consider tightening restrictions
on travellers. At the moment, the border with Victoria is only open to essential travellers.
Checkpoints operate at the airport and on 21 roads, with cross-border travel banned on all other entry points.
A 40km limit inside SA applies to people living in border communities.
Travellers from NSW and the ACT must self-quarantine for 14 days after entry into SA and must submit for COVID-19 testing on days one and 12.
A 50km limit applies to border communities.
Travel from Queensland, Tasmania, WA and the NT is not restricted.
“Queensland is absolutely on top of the potential risks they have up there but we continue to monitor it,” Mr Marshall said. He also praised NSW and did not expect change on that front.
AGED CARE
Nursing homes and other aged-care facilities are regarded as highly vulnerable to the spread of infection.
Visitors must have had a flu vaccination, must keep visits short, can only go to a resident’s room, outdoors or specially designated areas.
Only two visitors at a time are allowed.
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SA’s burning questions
1. How does the testing regimen work when you arrive from interstate?
Non-essential travellers from NSW/ACT are required to have a test on day one and day 12 upon entry to SA, and must remain in self-quarantine for 14 days. When travellers arrive they will be provided with two referral forms to undertake the mandatory tests.
Essential travellers with approval to enter SA must obtain a test as soon as possible within seven days. They must produce evidence of having a test or a test result, that is no more than seven days old, when requested by an authorised officer. Only essential travellers are allowed to enter from Victoria.
2. How do you self-isolate if you’re in a family home?
Isolate yourself from others at home and use a separate bathroom, if available. Wash clothes and bed linen in separate load using hot water. Eat your meals in your room and make sure you have separate plates and cutlery. Regularly clean frequently touched items with detergent or disinfectant, ie: television remote, light switches.
3. What is the policing of returned travellers regarding testing and quarantine?
Reports can be made to police about suspected breaches of self-quarantine and isolation orders and businesses not complying with restrictions. Police undertake random compliance checks but do not discuss specific operational requirements.
4. What is the penalty if you skip testing or quarantine?
Individuals found breaking virus-related restrictions face a $1000 fine. The cost to a body corporate is $5000. More serious breaches can involve prosecutions and fines of up to $75,000.
5. What are the current rules around who has to self-isolate at home versus who goes into hotel quarantine?
Overseas travellers are required to quarantine at their own expense in a “medi-hotel” which currently includes the Pullman Hotel, Hindmarsh Square, Peppers Hotel, Waymouth St and previously the Playford Hotel on North Terrace. The Adelaide Rockford Hotel is expected to be used. Interstate travellers can isolate in their homes. Any person who has contracted COVID-19 quarantines in a hotel.
6. Do you need GP referral for testing anymore?
No, you are able to attend mobile test sites without a referral.
7. What is the punishment for breaches of self-isolation/quarantine rules?
Any person found to be in breach of COVID-19 restrictions faces a minimum $1000 fine or $5000 for a body corporate. More serious breaches can incur higher fines or prosecution.
8. Why doesn’t everyone entering SA have to go into a hotel to keep the rest of us safe?
CPHO Nicola Spurrier has said that the volume of people entering SA meant it was not feasible or logistically possible to house everyone in a hotel. Police and SA Health say there are not enough resources to supervise people in quarantine and that there are regular checks made on anyone in isolation after travellinging from interstate.
9. Who has to get tested within 24 hours of entering SA? What is the punishment for non-compliance?
Any traveller entering SA from Victoria is required to undertake a COVID-19 test on their first day in isolation and then again on the 12th day. Punishment is $1000 for refusing a test. Latest police figures show eight people have been penalised for refusing a test.
10. Has the COVIDSafe app been used for any contact tracing in SA yet? If so how much and with what success?
No
11. Different restaurants ask for different levels of detail on customers (eg some ask for everyone’s contact in a dining group, some for just one person in a group)? What is the actual requirement?
SA Health advises business owners to have adequate records that allow for contact tracing of patrons in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak. The level is left to a business’ discretion.
12. What would a move back to one person per 4sq m mean for restaurants and pubs? Could they survive?
Australian Hotels Association (AHA) boss Ian Horne says:
“The current one in 2sq m is effectively 50 per cent of their normal capacity. If you go back to one in four, that’s 25 per cent of the normal capacity. Therefore there wouldn’t be a hotel, cafe or restaurant in SA that was viable. When we were one in four there were a range of operators getting JobKeeper. For many, JobKeeper runs out at the end of September and new criteria is a lot tougher. Even then, one in four simply means, a number of smaller venues in particular, would close to avoid draining what’s left of their bank accounts. And many of them, once they close they never open up again.”