COVID response updates
From Saturday 24 October
Cross-border travel
Cross-border community members can travel within 70 km of the VIC/SA border without needing a reason to do so.
Expanded entry from VIC to SA
Reasons for travellers to enter South Australia from Victoria will be expanded to include:
- Students returning to South Australia after studying in Victoria
- People relocating to South Australia permanently providing criteria around accommodation can be met
- People relocating to South Australia for work purposes providing criteria around accommodation and a contract for employment in SA can be met
- People passing through South Australia, for example, driving to Western Australia or the Northern Territory providing they will be allowed entry into that state on arrival.
Like all travellers entering South Australia, they will need to complete a Cross Border travel approval form online via the SAPOL website.
From 20 Oct 2020
South Australia to join the New Zealand travel bubble
New Zealanders can travel into SA without quarantining, provided they have not been in a restricted jurisdiction in the last 14 days.
From 8 October 2020
The Cross Border Community buffer zone between South Australia and Victoria will be extended from 40 km to 70 km.
People entering SA from a low community transmission zone will also be able to transit through Mildura, provided they do not stop.
From 3 October 2020
Standing consumption of food and beverages in an outdoor area is now permitted.
Private functions, weddings and funerals of up to 150 people can now permit dancing with standing consumption of food and beverages regardless of whether the event is indoors or outdoors.
Caravan parks and camping grounds are only permitted to have 6 people over the age of 16 per site.
Houseboats and short-term accommodation facilities are only permitted to have the maximum number of people permitted to sleep at the premises plus six visitors.
From 24 September 2020
The border restriction with New South Wales will be lifted. This means people entering South Australia from NSW from that date will no longer need to quarantine for 14 days.
People already in quarantine or those who arrive before 12:01 am on 24 September present a different health risk and will still have to complete the full 14-day quarantine period.
People entering SA from NSW from 12:01 am on 24 September are still required to complete the Cross Border Travel Registration.
From 16 September 2020
People travelling to South Australia from the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) will no longer be required to self-quarantine for 14 days.
People are still required to complete the Cross Border Travel Registration. Travellers from the ACT will be required to identify that they have been in only low community transmission zones (QLD, WA, NT, TAS) in the 14 days prior to their arrival in SA.
From 5 September 2020
The maximum number of people able to attend a wedding or funeral will increase to 150 people.
Consumption of food and alcohol can resume for people seated at a bar, as long as the bar is not near any food preparation area.
From 28 August 2020
A number of restrictions will ease from Friday 28 August.
- Residential gatherings will be able to have up to 50 people.
- The 40 km travel buffer zone for cross border communities in Victoria and South Australia will be reinstated (this will only occur if there is no community transmission in those areas between now and Friday 28 August).
- People transiting to SA through Sydney or Canberra airports from Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland or Tasmania will no longer be required to undertake 14 days self-isolation.
More information will be available once new Directions are issued.
From 21 August 2020
- COVID Marshals will be required across a number of industry sectors to ensure venue capacity, physical distancing and infection control requirements are met.
- Cross border community members will not be able to enter South Australia from Victoria unless they can apply under a different category of Essential Traveller.
Cross border community members wishing to enter South Australia will be required to reapply under another essential traveller category.
Cross Border Community Members at the South Australian / Victorian border with an approved travel status do not need to apply for a new approval if they are
- undertaking year 11 or 12 high school education at a secondary school
- transporting by private vehicle a person who is undertaking year 11 or year 12 high school education
- agricultural/primary industry workers with property close to the SA/VIC border.
COVID-19 measures
A number of measures have been put in place to make sure all activities and businesses are COVID-Safe. The aim of these measures is to restrict the spread of any COVID-19 infection in the community.
COVID-Safe Plan
All defined public activities are required to have a COVID-Safe Plan in place. Refer to the Public Activities Requirements table (PDF, 133.2 KB) for a full list of activities and businesses this applies to.
When creating a COVID-Safe Plan, businesses are required to list all rooms or spaces that are be open to patrons, as well as the area of those rooms.
Create a Step 3 COVID-Safe Plan
COVID Management Plan
A COVID Management Plan, approved by SA Health, is required for:
- a defined public activity where more than 1000 people are reasonably expected to be present at or participating in the activity
- the onsite purchase and consumption of food or beverages at a place where the total number of persons present at the place for the purpose of the purchase and consumption of food or beverages is reasonably expected to exceed 1000 people
- the operation of a nightclub
- the operation of relevant licensed premises
In some cases, your events/business/activity may require both a COVID Management Plan and a COVID-Safe Plan for each vendor.
Create a COVID Management Plan
COVID Marshals
From 21 August 2020, you must have a COVID Marshal if your business or activity is or involves any of the following:
- The onsite purchase and consumption of food or beverages (indoor and outdoor). This does not include take-away only operators.
- Religious or faith-based ceremonies.
- Supermarkets and hardware stores.
- Distribution centres (including associated transport operations).
- Gymnasiums and fitness centres.
- Swimming pools used by the public.
- Social and sporting clubs.
- Any activity where a COVID Management Plan is required.
- Any operation which may be defined by the state coordinator.
Learn more about COVID Marshals.