Masks will no longer be required on public transport, in recognition of decreasing case numbers and to ensure South Australia's restrictions remain in line with the direction of other states.
The change will come into force from tomorrow (Tuesday, September 20), following advice from the Acting Chief Public Health Officer Dr Chris Lease.
Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory have already removed mask mandates on public transport. The changes align with recent decisions to remove masks from domestic and international airline travel.
The requirement for masks to be worn on public transport in South Australia has been in place since July 2021.
People who wish to wear masks on public transport are able to continue to do so.
South Australia will also ease restrictions on visitors to residential aged care facilities. Visitors will no longer have to be vaccinated and there will no longer be a cap on the number of visitors if less than 70 per cent of residents are vaccinated.
QR codes will no longer be required at hospitals, disability care facilities and health care settings.
These changes will come into force from Friday, September 23.
Quotes
Attributable to Peter Malinauskas
Removing masks on public transport is yet another step towards our post-pandemic future.
I have always said we will seek to remove restrictions where it is safe to do so, and the health advice supports today's changes.
Other states are moving to remove mask requirements on public transport, and we have always placed a high priority on national consistency when it comes to restrictions.
Of course, if commuters wish to continue to wear masks on public transport, they are free to do so.
Attributable to Chris Picton
Over the past week, we have seen an average of 480 cases per day, which is significantly down on daily case numbers in the thousands that we were seeing just a few weeks ago.
This fall in case numbers presents us with the opportunity to ease restrictions even further.
