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17 November, 2020

Western Australia and Tasmania announce further restrictions for SA travellers

SA WA border village and border sign in a shape of old metal gate pavilion against blue sky in remote outback.

Two states have tightened restrictions even further for South Australian travellers, as the COVID-19 cluster in Adelaide continues to grow.

The Western Australian government announced that from 6pm last night, travellers from South Australia would not be allowed into the state unless they meet strict exemption criteria.

Exemptions for South Australian travellers are now limited to certain senior government officials, certain active military personnel, a member of the Commonwealth Parliament, a person carrying out functions under a law of the Commonwealth, a person coming to WA at the request of the state’s Chief Health Officer, a person responsible for transport freight or logistics; and anyone who is given approval by WA’s state emergency coordinator or an authorised officer.

Western Australians that may have travelled to South Australia in the last few days could also be considered on compassionate grounds to return.

The new measures are in addition to the quarantine and COVID-19 testing requirements implemented by the WA government on Sunday.

Given the size of the latest COVID-19 outbreak in South Australia (which at last count was at 23 confirmed or suspected cases), WA’s Chief Health Officer has moved South Australia from being a ‘very low risk’ destination to the ‘medium risk’ category.

After introducing new restrictions for SA travellers on Monday morning, Tasmania announced further measures yesterday afternoon, which also included moving the coronavirus-plagued state into its own ‘medium risk’ category.

This means that for passengers coming into Tasmania via the air and on the Spirit of Tasmania, they will need to go into quarantine either in a suitable residence or government hotel.

“Given the short timeframe for notice, the Tasmanian government will pay for those required to hotel quarantine,” Premier Peter Gutwein said.

“Anyone who has arrived in Tasmania and has spent time in South Australia since 7 November 2020 must self-isolate in their residence or accommodation and await advice from public health officials.

“In addition, anyone who has arrived in Tasmania from South Australia since 7 November and wants to be tested for coronavirus, even without experiencing symptoms, should contact the public health hotline and a test will be arranged.”

NSW and the ACT are the only jurisdictions yet to introduce new border restrictions in response to Adelaide’s Parafield cluster, with Queensland, Victoria and the Northern Territory all making moves yesterday.

South Australia’s Premier announced last night a swathe of new restrictions for the state that will be in place for the next two weeks.

They include the reinstatement of the social distancing rules of one person per four square metres in hospitality venues; caps of 100 people on pubs, clubs, restaurants and cafés; no vertical drinking indoors or outdoors.

Premier Steven Marshall also warned that South Australians should reconsider “unnecessary travel”.

Featured image source: iStock/zetter

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adelaide coronavirus coronavirus cluster coronavirus outbreak COVID-19 COVID-19 cluster COVID-19 outbreak Parafield cluster Peter Gutwein sa south australia South Australian travellers Steven Marshall tasmania tasmanian government wa Western Australia Western Australian government