Covid rules for Christmas gatherings in South Australia

What happens if an invited guest has visited a Covid exposure site this Christmas? Do I need to wear a mask? We’ve broken down all the SA Christmas gathering rules for 2021.

Current Covid restrictions in South Australia mean Christmas events will be different this year, with complex rules for people who have visited Covid exposure sites, or those considered a close contact of a positive case.

SA Health has classed a Christmas event as an “essential activity” – meaning anyone who has completed seven days’ quarantine after being exposed to a positive case or exposure location can attend Christmas events.

“If you are a vaccinated close contact who has completed their seven days of quarantine after visiting an exposure site, you can still attend Christmas festivities however there are some important things to remember for the following seven days,” an SA Health spokeswoman said.

“Wear a mask around others, particularly if your festive party include older people, those who are pregnant, and anyone with a chronic disease.”

Premier Steven Marshall said the people who have to quarantine this Christmas were protecting the broader community.

“Obviously it is a very inconvenient disease but people that are doing the right thing and isolating for the seven days are really protecting the other 1.8 million people to go about their normal Christmas,” Mr Marshall said.

Authorities this week announced anyone entering South Australia from overseas would only need to quarantine for seven days, instead of 14 days, on arrival.

We have outlined all the rules for South Australians this Christmas including mask wearing requirements, social distancing and more.

Covid rules mean Christmas gatherings will be a little bit different in SA this year. Picture: iStock

How many people can you have in your house?

Residential gatherings are currently capped at 30 people, including residents of a residential premises. For instance, a family of four could invite a maximum 26 people over to their home for Christmas celebrations.

Do guests have to be vaccinated to attend your home at Christmas?

There are no vaccination requirements for attendees at your home currently.

What happens if family members have been to a casual or close contact exposure site?

For vaccinated people:

Anyone who visited a close contact exposure site within seven days of December 25 will have to get tested immediately and quarantine for seven days which means they cannot attend Christmas events. They must also get tested on days six and 13. If they visited the close contact exposure site 14 days before Christmas, and they were let out of their seven days isolation from December 18 until Christmas Day they must wear a surgical mask and avoid contact with vulnerable family members including elderly people, immunocompromised people and pregnant women.

They should be socially distanced from guests at Christmas.

Anyone who visited a casual contact exposure location in the days leading up to Christmas must get tested and quarantine until they get a negative result, and wear a surgical mask to Christmas. They must also try to avoid contact with vulnerable guests.

For unvaccinated people:

If you were unvaccinated and visited a close contact exposure location at a time of concern which was less than 14 days before December 25 you are required to be in quarantine for Christmas.

You must also get tested on day six and 13.

What happens if a guest is a casual or close contact of a Covid positive person?

Anyone who tests positive to Covid-19 within 14 days of December 25 will be in home or hotel quarantine for Christmas.

Close contacts of a Covid positive case will need to undertake seven days of home quarantine from the time they interacted with the positive case, and be tested on days six and 13.

If they finish their seven days before December 25 they can attend a Christmas event so long as they wear a mask, social distance from other guests and limit interactions with other vulnerable guests. Unvaccinated close contacts of a positive case need to undertake 14 days’ quarantine from the time they interacted with the positive case.

Will we reach a 90 per cent double vaccination rate by Christmas?

Premier Steven Marshall said on Wednesday morning he was still hopeful South Australia would reach the 90 per cent target for fully vaccinated people over 12 by Christmas.

“I hope that we get to 90 per cent before the end of the year in fact I still think we could have a push on trying to get there before Christmas,” he said.

He said it was looking less likely restrictions would be eased by the Christmas weekend, but authorities promised home gathering numbers and other restrictions would ease before the new year.

Do I have to wear a mask at Christmas events at home?

Under current rules, mask are only required in high risk settings, personal care services, health care services, on public transport and shared indoor public places.

Masks are not required, unless someone attending was a close or casual contact of a Covid positive person, or visited a close contact exposure site (see above).

Are there any rules for interstate or international guests attending your Christmas function?

Borders are open in SA, so interstate arrivals can enter the state without quarantining.

Travellers from NSW, Vic and the ACT are now also required to produce a negative tests pre-arrival, and on arrival. Interstate arrivals from “moderate risk” areas will still have to be Covid-tested on arrival but will no longer have to isolate until their result is returned.

So long as overseas guests completed their directed seven days’ quarantine no restrictions will be placed upon them.

How do I stay Covid safe while at the event?

SA Health recommends unwell guests to stay home from Christmas events, and get a Covid test if suffering cold or flu symptoms.

Frequent hand washing is recommended, and social distancing of 1.5m where possible is also advised.

Do I need to have a QR check-in at my home for Christmas?

QR-check-ins are not required for home gatherings in SA.

What are the rules for private Christmas gatherings at a licensed premises?

Food and beverages can be consumed while standing at density limits of one person per two sqm.

When seated, it increases to three people per four sqm.

You can invite 150 people to private events, and singing is allowed but masks must be worn indoors.

A maximum of 50 people are permitted to dance, but communal food and beverage areas are not permitted.