Steven Marshall – alongside other government officials – has addressed the South Australian public to announce a string of brand-new restrictions that will be put in place. These restrictions come following the deteriorating COVID-19 situation across the nation.
Given the the nature of the rapid spread of the Delta strain, Premier Marshall announced that SA authorities have no choice but to impose these new restrictions.
South Australian can expect the following restrictions to be imposed for a week, effective from midnight tonight, with the Premier adding he hopes the restrictions will not extend beyond these seven days.
1. Reintroducing masks for high-risk settings including residential aged care, personal care, beauty services and hospitals. They highly recommend masks on public transport also.
2. Upper limit on private gatherings to 150 (previously uncapped) in homes or in halls. Above 50 still need a covid-safe plan in place, including a QR code.
3. Licensed premises – density changes back to 1 person to 2 square meters. There are to be no buffets, Sheesha facilities, and seated consumption is once again compulsory for indoor licensed premises.
Nicola Spurrier added that while contact tracers are doing a fantastic job, the importance here for South Australians is to recognise that this is a different variant which is more transmissible than past strains we have experienced.
At the moment in SA, the transmission potential number is sitting at about about 3.5 with an upper limit of almost 4, which Spurrier said is very concerning from a health perspective, given that the transmission potential during the first wave was 2.5, and South Australia currently have the lowest level of restrictions in the country.
Spurrier said these new restrictions are being put in place so that our economic situation does not also decline, and that these will be in place for a short time.
South Australia has also not had any new cases today, and currently no detection of the Delta strain within the state.
Steven Marshall said he felt this was a wake up call for South Australia who have lived relatively unaffected by restrictions and hoped this would encourage more citizens to book in for their vaccinations, as spots are still open for individuals to book in.
The overwhelming message from the government was to get tested immediately if you experience any COVID-19 symptoms.
This comes after Victoria announced their border restrictions update: The state’s borders are closed to the greater Darwin and Sydney areas, and travellers from Brisbane, Perth, regional NSW, ACT, and parts of Western Australia have to apply for a permit to enter Victoria.
Find out more about the new restrictions on the SA Health website here.
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