Tasmania and the Northern Territory have today closed their borders to South Australia after a new coronavirus cluster in Adelaide’s northern suburbs jumped to 17 cases overnight.
Queensland has also declared Adelaide a virus hotspot and reinstated its soft border for people coming in from metropolitan Adelaide.
Western Australia closed its border to SA travellers on Sunday, less than 48 hours after its hard border was removed.
Any travellers from SA to WA and Tasmania will now need to self-isolate for two weeks on arrival. (Anyone who has travelled from SA to Tasmania since November 9 needs to self-isolate, too.)
From 11.59pm tonight travellers from metropolitan Adelaide coming into Queensland will also need to self-isolate (anyone who has travelled from Adelaide to Queensland since November 9 is required to go into mandatory hotel quarantine immediately).
Travellers from SA to NT will need to undergo supervised quarantine or return home.
SA’s new cluster, which stems from a medi-hotel at Peppers on Waymouth Street, has prompted several closures, including a Hungry Jack’s in Port Adelaide, Mawson Lakes preschool and primary school, and Parafield Plaza Supermarket. Staff at Lyell McEwin Hospital, where one of the patients was tested, have been told to quarantine.
The cluster is the first case of community transmission in the state since April 15.
“Unfortunately, depending on how significant this spread is, we could be talking about quite wide restrictions that we saw back in March–April,” SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens told ABC Radio this morning.
“But that’s worst-case scenario, and it’s not a decision that has to be made right now, but we certainly have to be thinking about what the possibilities are.”
In NSW, Premier Gladys Berejiklian has advised the state will keep its border open to SA.
More to come.
SA Health strongly encourages people and businesses to practice physical distancing of 1.5 metres to minimise the spread of coronavirus. If you have Covid-19 symptoms, even if mild, get tested. Wash your hands regularly. If you’re concerned about visiting businesses or public spaces, or have questions about coronavirus testing, check the latest advice from SA Health.
