South Australia has now passed the two-week mark with no new reported cases of coronavirus. South Australia has not relaxed any social distancing rules, as other states have in the last few weeks, however, the majority of rules regarding social distancing were not enforceable.
Here is the latest update on:
- Social distancing
- Education
- Work
- Travel
- What’s open?
- What are the fines if you don’t follow the rules?
(This article will be updated as new changes are implemented to keep you informed.)
Social distancing
South Australia has not yet modified its current social distancing rules, although technically speaking, there were no restrictions on leaving the home. The two-person rule was not enforceable and fines would only be issued to persons gathering in groups of 10 or more.
However, it is compulsory to maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from those around you, and people aged over 70 were told to isolate wherever possible. People aged over 60 with pre-existing health conditions and Indigenous people over 50 have also been urged to stay at home.
Due to the state’s continued success in keeping coronavirus cases at zero, there are reports that some restrictions could be lifted as early as May 11. Currently, there are only five active cases in South Australia.
Premier Steven Marshall says the goal is to get people back to work as quickly and safely as possible. As it stands, there are reports that restrictions on funerals and regional travel will be the first to be modified early next week.
While there were no strict or law-binding restrictions on individuals leaving the home, South Australians were urged to only leave the home when necessary and not to gather in groups of more than 10 people.
Education
South Australian schools returned to face-to-face teaching at the beginning of term two.
Attendance in South Australian schools has now reached 70% and it is expected “business will be back to usual” in the next three weeks.
The government has committed $10 million to extra school cleaning protocols.
Work
In South Australia, the workforce is urged to continue working from home, where remote work is possible.
Where remote work is not possible, workers are still allowed to attend offices, factories or construction sites, even if there are more than 10 people present in these workspaces.
Read: When will offices reopen? The end of WFH
Travel
There are no travel restrictions within South Australia, however, non-essential travel is discouraged.
If you are travelling interstate, there are border control checkpoints operating throughout South Australia. Travellers will be questioned on their travel plans, and police officers are patrolling both main roads and quieter roads.
Non-essential travellers will still be able to enter South Australia but will be required to
- identify a suitable place of quarantine
- travel directly to that location
- self-quarantine at that location for 14 days.
South Australian police have the right to carry out periodic spot checks on those who have travelled interstate to ensure they are self-isolating.
What’s open?
- Grocery stores
- Shopping centres
- Restaurants and cafes (with restrictions)
- Certain retail stores (with restrictions)
- Chemists
- Medical centres
- Petrol stations
- Some public parks and walking trails
- State schools
- Universities
- Banks
- Childcare services
- Freight and delivery services.
What are the fines if you don’t follow the rules?
Police officers can issue fines of $1,000 to those who are gathering in groups of more than 10 people.
