SA restarts 14 day countdown to open borders with NSW

SA has set the 14-day countdown for when the border might open up with Greater Sydney back to zero, after NSW recorded six local cases on Sunday.

SA looks for another 14 days of no locally aquired cases in Greater Syndey before opening its border. Picture: MIKE BURTON/AAP

South Australia has restarted the clock on the 14 days of no locally acquired COVID-19 cases in Greater Sydney required before there is any easing of border restrictions.

The decision comes after six locally acquired cases were confirmed in Sydney on Sunday.

Following the SA Transition Committee meeting on Tuesday, Police Commissioner Grant Stevens confirmed the NSW tally had gone back to zero with Sunday’s cases.

Mr Stevens, who is also the State Coordinator, said this meant border restrictions would be set to ease by the end of the month if NSW records no further locally acquired cases.

Health authorities decided to restart its tally of 14 day of no community transmission in NSW. Picture: David Mariuz/AAP Image

It means the earliest possible time the state could open up to Greater Sydney is at the end of January. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

“The 14 days of no community transmission is the trigger were looking for,” he said.

“SA Health are working with NSW Health to get as much information as possible so we can make our changes as early as possible.”

Under the state’s current border restrictions with NSW, only SA residents, people relocating to the state or those with approved exemptions are permitted to enter.

But they all must complete 14 days of quarantine.

SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens announced the decision on Tuesday. Picture: Mike Burton

Anyone else from Greater Sydney, Wollongong, the Blue Mountains and Central Coast is not allowed to enter SA.

“We are still watching very closely what happening in NSW,” Commissioner Stevens said.

“The current cluster they’re dealing with is now seven cases, which is obviously of concern, but until (NSW Health) have the epidemiology of all seven cases and manage those close contacts, we’re not in a position to change any SA restrictions.”

Only returning SA residents, people relocating or those with an exemption are currently permitted to enter SA from Greater Sydney. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

The Transition Committee was also looking at adjusting the boundary of area of concern in NSW as well as the caps in place for private gatherings.

Currently, up to 50 people are permitted to attend a private gathering at a private residence, while 200 are allowed at functions, including weddings and funerals.

The topics will be discussed further in the next meeting on Thursday.

Both SA and NSW recorded no new locally acquired cases on Tuesday.

Two tested positive in NSW hotel quarantine.