Australia: South Australia to modify COVID-19 entry restrictions from 00:01 Nov. 23 /update 7

Event

South Australia authorities will modify ongoing COVID-19 entry restrictions from 00:01 Nov. 23. Effective Nov. 23, SA authorities will allow fully vaccinated entrants from all domestic locations except the Bryon Bay Area of New South Wales (NSW). Unvaccinated people may only enter after acquiring exemptions. All travelers entering South Australia will need to apply through EntryCheck SA instead of applying through the Cross Border Travel Registration. Officials will enforce entry requirements that vary according to vaccination status and state of COVID-19 activity; the requirements will be as follows:

• Very Low Risk: No evidence of COVID-19 activity; arrivals do not need to undergo testing or quarantine.

• Low Risk: Evidence of COVID-19 activity and a vaccine rate of 90-percent or higher; entrants must provide a negative COVID-19 test obtained within 72 hours before arrival and monitor their symptoms for 14 days.

• Moderate Risk: Evidence of COVID-19 activity and vaccine rate of 80-percent or higher; in addition to fulfilling requirements for Low Risk areas, entrants must also take a COVID-19 test within 24 hours of arrival, quarantine until the test is taken, and monitor symptoms for 14 days after arrival.

• High Risk and International: Evidence of COVID-19 activity and vaccine rate of 80-percent or lower: in additional to fulfilling Moderate Risk area requirements, travelers must quarantine for seven days, undergo tests on days six and 13, and may not enter high-risk venues for 14 days after arrival.

South Australia authorities continue to enforce Level-1 restrictions as of Nov. 22 due to reduced COVID-19 concerns. Attendance at home gatherings is capped at 20 people and limited to 150 people at non-residential private gatherings. Officials limit public gatherings to 50 people. 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.

Domestic Border Controls
All entrants will need to apply for entry through EntryCheck SA from 00:01 Nov. 23. Authorities will allow travel from all areas except the Byron Bay area of NSW from Nov. 23. From Nov. 23, vaccinated essential travelers, including specialist workers and government workers, will be allowed to enter South Australia. Essential travelers will not need to quarantine upon arrival and must provide evidence of having received a COVID-19 test within seven days of arrival.

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. All Victorian Cross Border members must provide evidence that they are at least partially vaccinated to enter South Australia.

Quarantine Requirements
Authorities will require international arrivals to quarantine at a designated facility for seven days from Nov. 23 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