Thousands receive quarantine ‘day passes’ in SA

Anybody can apply for a quarantine day pass – and about 30 are approved each day, including for a bishop, a DJ and international tennis stars.

Bishop Silouan got a day pass to leave quarantine to give his blessing wearing a mask on the Glenelg Jetty for the Blessing of the Waters religious ceremony. Picture: Russell Millard

Thousands of exemptions from coronavirus quarantine were granted in South Australia last year and so far this year approvals are running at almost 30 a day.

Reason for exemptions include compassionate, medical and cultural grounds, and carry strict conditions.

SA Health was unable to give a definitive total for exemptions granted last year but a spokeswoman said: “Thousands of health exemptions were approved in 2020 and 271 have been approved since Friday January 1, 2021.”

High profile exemptions this year include a Bishop and a DJ, while tennis players arriving in Adelaide for major events in the next few weeks will be allowed access to the facilities at the Memorial Drive Tennis Club while in quarantine.

HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE BIGGEST ISSUES AUSTRALIA FACES. TAKE OUR SURVEY

International tennis players coming to Adelaide will be allowed to escape quarantine to train at Memorial Drive. Picture: MARTIN BUREAU / AFP

Bishop Silouan of Sinope was given an exemption to attend the annual Blessing of the Waters at Glenelg under strict conditions, while being in quarantine after attending a conference in NSW.

He was taken to and from the event by a police escort and a SA Health spokeswoman said he was given the exemption to attend a “culturally significant ceremony with specific arrangements made by SAPOL”.

“The exemption included requirements for him to remain 1.5m away from people at all times and not to share items to ensure no public risk,” the spokeswoman said.

DJ Groove Terminator – Simon Lewicki – was also given an exemption to perform at the Summer Sounds festival in Bonython Park, with a police escort.

Festival spokeswoman Layla Carroll said they are working closely with SA Health to implement risk mitigation strategies for artists who require exemptions.

“Each is assessed on a case by case basis taking into account their home location, movements in the previous 14 days and local epidemiology,” she said.

“From here we are uncertain how many artists will need exemptions as the border restrictions may change and we’re focused on the week ahead.”

Exemptions carry conditions and officials say they are not just for VIPs.

“Anyone can apply to be considered for an exemption by contacting [e-mail] or by calling 1800 253 787,” a statement from SA Health to The Advertiser says.

“There are a number of reasons for people to be granted an exemption to leave their 14-day mandatory quarantine in South Australia and each situation is individually reviewed.

“This includes considerations on medical or compassionate grounds, or the significance of the event.

“Once an exemption is granted, measures are taken to mitigate the risk to the public.

“This may include a police escort to and from the location. The person must also wear a mask at all times when interacting with the public and maintain social distancing by keeping at least 1.5 metres from other people at all times.

“They are also required to return directly to their quarantine residence.”

Globally there have been more than 88m reported cases of COVID-19 and more than 1.9m deaths since the start of the pandemic. In SA there have been 588 cases and four deaths.

Originally published as Thousands receive quarantine ‘day passes’ in SA