Vaccinated returning travellers would isolate at home in SA trial, instead of medi-hotels

People flying into Adelaide would be able to quarantine at home instead of a medi-hotel, if they were fully vaccinated, under a trial to run in SA.

Fully vaccinated travellers returning from overseas would quarantine at home under a landmark federal plan to be trialled in South Australia.

National cabinet on Friday discussed the pilot program, expected to start later this year.

The state government has agreed to test how expatriates can be safely electronically monitored for 14 days outside a medi-hotel.

While details are still to be thrashed out, officials say any trial would involve fully vaccinated SA travellers arriving from “lower-risk countries”.

Senior government sources say SA is the only state to express interest in the trial so far.

The proposal was among several debated by state and territory leaders on Friday under a four-point plan to guide the nation out of the pandemic. Specific vaccination levels required for the plan are still to be determined.

Premier Steven Marshall said the isolation scheme needed SA Health approval.

“We have been looking at pathways out of this pandemic for quite some time as vaccination rates increase,” he said.

“Since the beginning, we have always made decisions based on the health advice and we continue to do so.

People arrive at Adelaide Airport after a border closure to the NT, WA, Qld and the ACT on Sunday. Picture: The Advertiser/ Morgan Sette

“No changes to quarantine arrangements for this trial will be made unless it is approved by SA Health and would not come into effect until later this year. Changes will only be for South Australians wanting to return home to this state.

“My strong message over the coming weeks and months is for all South Australians who are eligible to get vaccinated – that is our No. 1 priority as a government right now.”

The state government earlier this year abandoned a plan to develop an app to track people in home quarantine using facial recognition and GPS to ensure compliance.

Speaking after the meeting, Prime Minister Scott Morrison promised vaccinated Australians a “new deal”.

He said government modelling had shown “alternative quarantine options” could be effective and safe.

Several Covid-19 outbreaks have been sparked from leaks at medi-hotels, including in Adelaide.

“So, getting vaccinated actually, clearly, helps and the medical evidence backs that up, particularly for quarantine,” he said.

National cabinet agreed on the plan (see below) to unlock international and domestic borders once the national vaccination program is finished.

In a move that sparked a backlash from some leaders and expatriates, officials halved the number of people allowed to enter the country on commercial flights.

Mr Marshall announced SA’s arrival cap would be cut by 76 passengers a week from a current 530. National cabinet will meet again next Friday.

Originally published as Vaccinated returning travellers would isolate at home in SA trial, instead of medi-hotels