Premier Steven Marshall, Minister Wade, Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier and Police Commissioner Grant Stevens addressed the South Australian public today on what marks the state’s final official day of lockdown.
Marshall announced that there have been zero cases overnight linked to the Modbury cluster and South Australia’s lockdown will still be ending at midnight tonight.
New restrictions and clarifications were spoken on, with a particular focus on mask wearing including high school students aged 12 and up, all passenger transport services (buses, trains, trams, ubers etc.) including drivers, and also in workplace common areas.
The only exceptions to these are if you have a physical disability, serious skin condition, learning disability, mental health issues, those in a call centre who need to make clear annunciation, and those with hearing aids who have difficulty or discomfort wearing masks.
Church services may continue from this weekend but no choir or congregation singing, with only a performer able sing if they can remain a safe distance from others.
Sports training may resume as of tomorrow but sports competitions are not able to resume until next weekend, with no AFL to take place at Adelaide Oval until a COVID management plan is assessed and implemented.
The lift of the lockdown in SA does not extend to those who are currently in quarantine, and they must continue to follow their directed advice from health authorities.
While the lockdown is ending, there will be other strict restrictions in SA as follows:
- Density requirement of 1 person per 4 square metres for all businesses & church services
- Food and beverage consumption seated only (outdoor and indoor)
- Sheesha, dancing, singing restrictions to continue
- Masks in high risk settings, personal care services, indoor public places, passenger transport services, healthcare services, theatres
- Masks are strongly encouraged everywhere else, including workplace common areas
- Household and private gatherings maximum 10 people including members of household
- Weddings and funerals maximum 50 people
- Gyms may reopen with density of 1 person per 8 square metres in first instance
A tremendous thanks to all people who are on the frontline was given from Marshall, including to SA pathology, Communicable Diseases Control Branch, home schooling, mental health professionals, police force, emergency services workers, supermarkets, bakers, butchers, petrol stations and so on. All of which supported our community, and continue to do so throughout this pandemic.
Nicola Spurrier then spoke on current cases, outlining we have 19 cases linked to the Modbury cluster, with only two people in hospital, both in their 80s, and both are in a stable condition. This sets the states total active COVID cases at 25 when including medi-hotel cases.
Testing & vaccinations
Over the last seven days of lockdown, South Australia saw an incredible 134,194 test results returned and over 800,000 COVID vaccination doses administered to date.
People in South Australia can receive the AstraZeneca vaccination under the age of 60, but must do this with informed consent and have the small level of risks explained to them.
Marshall noted that authorities are not seeing the numbers of vaccinations they are looking for, with hopes to have the entirety of the state vaccinated at some stage. He also said that those who come into contact with vulnerable people will look to be fully vaccinated by next month.
COVID-19 Testing Site Updates
The Victoria Park / Pakapakanthi COVID-19 drive-through testing site and the Aldinga GP Plus Health Care Centre COVID-19 drive-through testing site are temporarily closed, due to weather. Follow SA Health’s post on Facebook (link here) for the latest updates on testing sites impacted by the weather. To find an alternative COVID-19 testing site near you, please visit: sahealth.sa.gov.au/COVIDtesting
The Mile End Netball Stadium COVID-19 walk-in testing site is currently open 24/7.
All South Australians who have symptoms of COVID-19 should get tested on the day symptoms appear.
Symptoms include:
– Fever or chills (in the absence of an alternative illness that explains these symptoms)
– An acute respiratory infection e.g. cough, sore throat, runny nose, or shortness of breath
– Loss of smell or alteration in the sense of taste
– Diarrhoea and vomiting
For more information: SA COVID-19 Information Line 1800 253 787; sahealth.sa.gov.au/COVID2019.
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