Updates have been made to the Cross Border Travel and Residential Aged Care Directions. These updates provide the easing of restrictions for people travelling from New South Wales.
Cross Border Travel Direction No 31
The Cross Border No 31 Direction comes into effect as of 12.01am on Sunday 31 January 2021.
The changes are as follow:
Entry from New South Wales
- People travelling from New South Wales (other than a Restricted Location) into South Australia from 12.01am Sunday 31 January are no longer required to receive COVID-19 testing.
- Restricted Locations of the Greater Sydney Region, Central Coast Council local government area and Wollongong City Council local government areas have been added to the Direction. Any person travelling from any of these Restricted Locations must receive a COVID-19 test within 24 hours from arrival in South Australia and self-quarantine until they receive a negative test result. They must get tested again on day 5 and day 12. A person does not need to remain in self-quarantine after receiving the first negative COVID-19 test unless they have COVID-19 symptoms.
- People who are currently in self-quarantine having travelled from New South Wales under a previous Direction are no longer required to complete the remainder of their 14 days, providing they have received at least one negative COVID-19 test. Travellers will need to get the remaining of their COVID-19 test on days 5 and 12.
- People who are travelling from a Low Community Transmission Zone (ACT, NT, QLD, TAS, VIC, WA and NSW (other than Restricted Locations) through Sydney Airport are permitted to do so if they are there for no longer than 2hrs and are wearing a face mask including on the plane.
- Travel from a Low Community Transmission Zone through a Restricted Location is permitted providing the person does not stop in that Restricted Location they wear a face mask when they cannot physically distance and travel via most direct and practicable route only stopping for emergency/respite/essential purposes.
Entry from New Zealand
- People who arrived in South Australia before 12.01am 31 January 2021 must continue to comply with their previous testing and quarantine requirements under the previous Direction.
- People who arrived in Australia before 12.01am who have been in New Zealand between14 January and 26 January 2021 (inclusive) must submit to a COVI19 test within 24 hours and self-quarantine until they receive a negative test result and get tested again on day 5 and day 12. A person does not need to remain in self-quarantine after receiving the first negative COVID-19 test unless they have COVID-19 symptoms.
- People travelling from New Zealand on or after 26 January and arrive in South Australia (having been in New Zealand within the last 14 days) must quarantine at a medi-hotel, commencing on the date of arrival for 14 days not counting the day of arrival, and be subjected to COVID-19 testing on day 1, 5 and 12.
Residential Aged Care Facilities Direction No 24
The Residential Aged Care Facilities No 24 Direction comes into effect as of 12.01am Sunday 31 January 2021.
The only change to the Residential Aged Care Facilities Direction is:
- People from New South Wales are now permitted to enter a Residential Aged Care Facility. This includes people travelling from a Restricted NSW Location who have written confirmation of a negative COVID-19 test in SA.
- People who have been in New Zealand in last 14 days are still not permitted to enter an aged care facility (unless they have an exemption and prior approval from the facility and SA Health as a pre-approved traveller).
Other existing requirements remain. The information above only highlights the changes key made to the Directions and does not reflect all requirements. Members of the public are encouraged to see the full Directions for further information.
The Emergency Management (Cross Border Travel No 30) (COVID-19) Direction 2021 has been revoked and replaced by the Emergency Management (Cross Border Travel No 31)(COVID-19) Direction 2021. The Emergency Management (Residential Aged Care Facilities No 23) (COVID-19) Direction 2021 has been revoked and replaced by the Emergency Management (Residential Aged Care Facilities No 24) (COVID-19) Direction 2021.
All existing directions, frequently asked questions and other information can be found here: https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/emergency-declarations
If you require further information you can call the SA COVID-19 Information Line on 1800 253 787 between the hours of 9am to 5pm 7 days per week or go to the SA Health website at www.sahealth.sa.gov.au or www.sa.gov.au/covid-19
