Australia: South Australia enhancing entry requirements for travelers from parts of Greater Sydney as of June 22 /update 39

Event

South Australia officials have intensified entry requirements for travelers who visited parts of Greater Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), as of June 22. Officials require that visitors with a 14-day travel history to the Bayside, Canada Bay, City of Sydney, Inner West, Randwick City, and Woollahra local government areas self-quarantine until receiving a negative COVID-19 test result. Affected travelers must also undergo testing on days 5 and 13 after entry and refrain from entering high-risk settings or large events for 14 days.

Local Restrictions
Authorities continue to limit home gatherings to 50 people. However, officials permit groups of 51-200 people at residential premises with a COVID-Safe Plan, a COVID-19 marshal to enforce regulations, and guests to check-in using the mySA GOV mobile application. Authorities have eased density limits for private events and businesses to three people per 4 square meters (43 square feet). Seated entertainment venues, such as cinemas and theaters, can operate at 100 percent capacity. Companies must conduct contact tracing with few exceptions; the government has provided companies with QR codes for mandatory electronic contact tracing. Officials also encourage patrons to use the mySA GOV mobile application to check into establishments. Authorities have ended a facemask mandate at high-risk public areas, such as medical centers and aged care homes.

Domestic Border Controls
All travelers to South Australia must complete the Cross Border Travel Registration before arrival. Authorities continue to ban entry for nonresidents who visited Greater Melbourne, Victoria, and Waverley Council in NSW. Exceptions are in place for essential travelers, people relocating to South Australia, and individuals fleeing domestic violence, among others. Allowed arrivals and returning residents must self-quarantine for 14 days, undergo three COVID-19 tests, and wear a facemask in public. Cargo transport workers are exempt from testing and self-quarantine requirements, provided they received a negative test result within seven days and continue to perform their duties while in South Australia. Individuals that visited regional Victoria State within 14 days of arrival must take a COVID-19 test upon entry and self-isolate until receiving a negative test result.

Quarantine Requirements
Authorities require all international arrivals to undertake a 14-day quarantine period and undergo multiple rounds of COVID-19 testing. Travelers who have been in New Zealand continuously for two weeks before arrival are exempt from quarantine and testing requirements. South Australia charges all required travelers, including Australian citizens and permanent residents, quarantine fees, payable after completion. Quarantine fees are AUD 3,000 for the first adult and AUD 1,000 for each additional adult or AUD 500 for children over three years old. Any international arrivals who purchased tickets before 12:00 ACST July 13, 2020, are exempt from payment.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by government health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.

Resources

South Australia Government COVID-19 Information
Cross Border Travel Application