Authorities order six-day lockdown in South Australia November 18

Event

Authorities have ordered a six-day lockdown in South Australia on Wednesday, November 18, following a rise in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases. All pubs, takeaway food outlets, universities, schools, and cafes will be closed for the next six days as of midnight (local time). The construction industry has also been ordered to halt operations during this period. Only one resident in each household will be able to leave their home each day for permitted activities. Funerals, weddings, outdoor exercise, and open real estate auctions will also be forbidden during the six-day lockdown. Regional travel will also not be allowed, except for those with a fly in fly out (FIFO) approval. Face masks will be mandatory for all residents leaving their homes.

Social distancing and hygiene measures remain in place throughout Australia as do restrictions on public gatherings. 

As of Wednesday, November 18, there have been 27,771 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Australia with 907 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). 

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, or a rash on the skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover the mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the virus.