South Australia slams border shut to NT, Queensland, WA and ACT

South Australia has slammed its border shut to four more jurisdictions as Covid-19 spreads in escalating outbreaks across the country.

South Australia has closed its border to Queensland, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory following an escalating outbreak of Covid-19.

“We all appreciate there’s been a significant deterioration in the situation in Australia over the last 24 to 48 hours,” South Australian Premier Steven Marshall told reporters on Sunday.

“We need to take decisive action here in South Australia. So, effectively immediately, South Australia will be closing its borders to Queensland, WA and the ACT.

“This is in place for all but permitted travellers — people permanently relocating to South Australia, South Australians returning home, or those people who are escaping domestic or family violence, or those people who are essential travellers and have received an exemption.

“The arrangements with New South Wales remain as they were over the weekend.”

Premier Steven Marshall has announced further border closures. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Kelly Barnes

Most NSW residents were banned from entering SA on Wednesday, while people who came into South Australia from June 21 must self-quarantine for 14 days and get tested for Covid on their first, fifth and 13th days in SA.

Arrivals from Victoria will continue to have to get a Covid-19 test on arrival and to isolate while there are no restrictions with Tasmania.

Mr Marshall also said restrictions were likely to be increased in the state.

“It’s quite possible there’s been some seeding of the Delta variant from NSW or from Victoria into South Australia,” he said.

“With the very low level of restrictions we have in South Australia, we need to look at those. We’ll be looking at those over the next 24 hours.

“There will be a further announcement tomorrow. We’re thinking of moving for a higher level of restrictions internally in South Australia for a one-week period.”