New legal directions on close contacts, isolation and Covid exposure now in force

Fifteen minutes of contact with a Covid-positive person, without masks, is enough to get you quarantine for a week under new rules taking effect in South Australia.

Maskless South Australians who have close indoor contact for at least 15 minutes with a Covid-19 positive case will be legally required to quarantine, under new official changes.

After days of confusion, the state’s Covid-19 authorities on Monday unveiled new legal directions for “close contacts” despite national cabinet last week agreeing on different rules.

The laws, which Police Commissioner Grant Stevens approved at 5.29pm on Monday, state a person must quarantine for a week, after indoor face-to-face contact with a positive case for at least 15 minutes and both without masks.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday evening but is still working from isolation, and other state officials are not believed to be at risk.

The new contact rules, based on SA Health advice, deem “close proximity” to be within 1.5m at indoor sites such as workplaces, venues or licensed premises.

The laws state close contact can be named by SA Health, or test labs, if they visit published exposure sites or “become aware” they fit such criteria.

Premier Steven Marshall announced the changes, five days after Prime Minister Scott Morrison, with state and territory leaders, approved a four-hour household definition.

Insisting the rules provided “clarity”, Mr Marshall said it was “highly likely” a person would contract Covid after such close meetings.

“I think it’s going to save to thousands and thousands of additional cases,” he said.

He downplayed industry concerns of a drop-off in restaurant or pub patrons.

All close contacts must isolate for seven days, test, wear masks and not visit high risk sites for a fortnight, while also avoiding non-essential activities.

Covid positive cases must quarantine for 10 days.

Casual contacts no longer have to isolate.

Premier Steven Marshall with update to COVID situation. Picture Dean Martin

SURGERY’S OFF

Mr Marshall, who said he had a good relationship with chief public health officer, Professor Nicola Spurrier, also announced a ban on all but emergency or urgent surgery from 12.01am Tuesday.

On a day of a new record 2552 daily Covid cases and SA Health having revealed three new high risk exposure sites – the first in a week – Mr Marshall warned an Omicron case peak would occur by the end of the month as schools return.

At least 200 SA Health staff are Covid positive, forcing 400 other workers into isolation.

Senior government sources say SA is experiencing a Christmas-linked case surge.

Despite concerns about under-reporting of interstate cases, they say SA’s reported case numbers are an accurate guide to current community rates of infection.

HOSPITAL SPREADS

There are 94 cases in the Royal Adelaide Hospital – a rise of 12 in 24 hours – while nine patients, aged from their 30s to 70s, are in intensive care but none on ventilators.

SA Health has 220 ICU beds – all with ventilators – 74 of which are at the RAH.

Deputy chief public health officer, Dr Emily Kirkpatrick, said the RAH was the main facility for infectious patients.

She said the Women’s and Children Hospital will treat teenagers and children while the Flinders Medical Centre will care for Covid-positive pregnant women.

Hospitals in the Riverland, Coober Pedy, Port Lincoln, Roxby Downs, Port Augusta, Whyalla, Port Pirie, Kangaroo Island, Murray Bridge, and Mt Gambier, will stabilise patients before being sent to Adelaide.

SA Health’s Covid-19 regional chief, Wayne Champion, said country hospitals will help alleviate pressures.

Cars lining up at the Victoria Park Pakapakanthi COVID-19 drive-through testing clinic. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe