Current Covid rules in South Australia March 9, 2022

Many South Australians are confused about ever changing restrictions as Covid fatigue hits new heights. Here’s the latest rules that are still in place … and some might surprise you.

There’s indications our restrictions may soon be set to ease further as we limp through the start of our third year of the global pandemic.

The Covid fatigue is real and there’s confusion about what rules are still in place, including a ban on dancing and singing in most settings which has been labelled by some as ‘draconian’.

Growing frustrations about restrictions on dancing has prompted hospitality owners and Adelaide Fringe chief executive Heather Croall to call for a review of the rules.

In the most recent announcement of relaxing Covid rules on February 25, stand-up drinking was reinstated in indoor settings and capacity requirements relaxed.

State Co-ordinator and Police Commissioner Grant Stevens. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

But confusion has reigned since, as many members of the public believed strict dancing rules had been relaxed in most settings, but in actual fact dancing is only allowed at small private functions.

The Covid Ready Committee is set to meet in coming days and discuss further easing of restrictions, but here are SA’s current Covid rules as they stand on March 9, 2022.

How many people can I have at my home?

Home gatherings are capped at 50 people.

Are there restrictions on density in hospitality venues?

Density levels are restricted to three people per four square metres, but there are further restrictions including one person per two square metres for certain indoor activities including hospitality settings.

Can I dance?

Dancing is only permitted at dance classes and private functions or private activities of no more than 150 attendees, and only 50 people are able to dance at one time.

Can I sing?

Singing is only permitted in an educational setting, an individual lesson, if the person is performing, or at a private function of less than 150 people.

Can I stand up and drink?

Stand-up consumption is allowed in both indoor and outdoor settings.

Are shisha stores able to open?

No, shisha remains banned.

Do I have to wear a mask?

For the most part, yes, masks are required for indoor settings, including high risk settings, personal care services, on public transport and indoor fitness facilities (except while exercising).

Masks are not required for the bridal party during wedding ceremonies, and private functions of less than 150 people.

We might not like them, but masks are still required in SA for indoor settings. Picture: Julianne Osborne

What happens if I get Covid-19?

If you test positive to Covid-19, you must isolate ten days from the date of your first positive Covid test and there are no testing requirements to leave isolation.

What is a close contact?

A close contact in SA is defined as a household member or intimate partner of a person with Covid-19. Anyone who has had close interaction with an infectious person for 15 minutes or more is also defined as a close contact.

Do I have to isolate as a close contact?

You must immediately get tested and quarantine for seven days after seeing the positive case.

If you live with a positive case and are not able to isolate from the person you must quarantine for 14 days.

Can I travel interstate?

Fully vaccinated South Australians are free to travel to any state in Australia without testing requirements or exceptions besides Western Australia, where G2G application is required.

Can I travel overseas?

Yes, borders are open for fully vaccinated international travellers, meaning South Australians can come and go without quarantining on return. They must return a PCR test 24 hours after returning to SA and avoid high risk settings like hospitals for seven days. 

Originally published as Current Covid rules in South Australia March 9, 2022