Australia: South Australia to ease quarantine requirements for travelers from regional New South Wales from Jan. 14 /update 17

Event

Officials in South Australia will lift the self-quarantine requirement for travelers from regional areas of New South Wales (NSW) from Jan. 14 due to reduced coronavirus disease (COVID-19) activity there. However, travelers from the region must still get tested for COVID-19 on days one, five, and 12 after arrival.

The government continues to implement COVID-19 restrictions statewide. Authorities allow up to 50 people at home gatherings and 200 people at private events. Officials continue to mandate facemasks at high-risk public areas, such as medical centers and aged care homes. Personal service workers must continue to wear facemasks when working. Health staffers continue to encourage people to wear facemasks when physical distancing is impossible.

Businesses must conduct contact tracing, with few exceptions. The government has provided companies with quick response (QR) codes for mandatory electronic contact tracing. Officials also encourage patrons to use the mySA GOV mobile application to check-in to establishments. The capacity at seated events, such as cinemas and theaters, remains at 75 percent, though patrons must wear facemasks. Authorities permit food and beverage consumption while standing inside and in outdoor areas.

Domestic Border Controls
South Australia allows passengers from most Australian states and territories to enter without quarantine. Authorities require travelers from Greater Brisbane, including Ipswich, Logan, Moreton Bay, and Redland City, to self-quarantine for 14 days upon entry. Arrivals from the metropolitan area on Jan. 8 must get tested immediately, as well as on Jan. 13 and 20; affected individuals do not have to self-quarantine after the second test, provided they do not have any COVID-19 symptoms but cannot attend mass events.

Officials continue to ban nonresidents that visited Greater Sydney, Wollongong, the Central Coast, and the Blue Mountains in NSW within the previous 14 days; essential travelers, including healthcare workers and people seeking urgent medical treatment, may apply for exemptions. South Australians traveling from NSW must normally reside in the state. Authorities will also allow individuals relocating to South Australia to enter once. Permitted travelers must self-quarantine at a designated location for 14 days upon arrival. People living within 100 km (62 miles) of the border and without travel to other places in NSW can enter and travel throughout South Australia without quarantine. Travelers from Greater Brisbane and permitted travelers from banned areas of NSW must get a COVID-19 test within 24 hours of entry and on days five and 12 of quarantine. Anyone entering South Australia must complete the Cross Border Travel Registration before arrival.

Quarantine Requirements
Authorities require all international arrivals to undergo a 14-day quarantine and receive COVID-19 tests within 24 hours of arrival and on the twelfth day of quarantine. Travelers from New Zealand are exempt from the requirement. South Australia charges all required travelers, including Australian citizens and permanent residents, for quarantine, payable after completion. Quarantine fees are AUD 3,000 (USD 2,329) for the first adult and AUD 1,000 (USD 776) for each additional adult or AUD 500 (USD 388) for children, except those under three years old. People who purchased tickets before 1200 ACST July 13 are exempt from payment.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by government health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider deferring nonessential travel to South Australia until restrictions ease. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Plan for transport disruptions and delivery delays at designated hotspot areas. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.

Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.

Resources

South Australia Government COVID-19 Information
Cross Border Travel Application