Australia: South Australia to slightly ease some business restrictions from Sept. 23 /update 5

Event

South Australia will slightly ease restrictions from Sept. 23 due to reduced COVID-19 concerns. Officials will permit standing consumption in outdoor areas at hospitality venues. Officials will also permit dancing at private events, which remain capped at 150 people. Other Level-1 restrictions remain in place. Authorities continue to cap gatherings at 20 people at home and 50 people in public. Facemasks are mandatory for healthcare facilities, personal services (unless receiving treatment), passenger transport, and indoor public events, with exceptions.

Most businesses can operate at 75-percent capacity; however, non-seated events and fitness facilities can only occur at 50- and 25-percent capacity, respectively. Food and drink establishments can only serve seated customers. Companies must continue to 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. A facemask mandate remains in place for public transport, healthcare and personal services, and other high-risk settings.

Domestic Border Controls
All entrants must complete a Cross Border Travel Registration at least seven days before entering the state. Officials will end testing requirements for arrivals with a 14-day travel history to the Logan and Greater Brisbane local government areas in Queensland from Sept. 23. However, travelers from the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), New South Wales (NSW), and Victoria remain banned. Essential travelers, returning South Australia residents, individuals relocating to South Australia, and people fleeing domestic violence from these locations can apply for an exemption. Permitted arrivals must self-quarantine for 14 days, receive three COVID-19 tests, and wear facemasks in public.

Quarantine and testing exceptions are in place for residents who live within 70 km (43 miles) of the South Australia-Victoria border and travel cross-border for essential reasons. Such travelers must have remained within the border zone for the past 14 days and not had contact with anyone who has recently been outside the area. The travel bubble with Broken Hill, NSW, is no longer in effect.

Quarantine Requirements
Authorities require international arrivals to quarantine at a designated facility for 14 days and undergo multiple rounds of COVID-19 testing. 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.

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