South Australia Low-risk Covid-19 News Update Hard Border stays with NSW

Mark McGowan announced that South Australia will be reclassified as a very low-risk jurisdiction for Western Australia’s controlled interstate border as of 12:01 am on Christmas Day this Friday, 25 December.

I’d like to congratulate South Australia for their outstanding success in containing the outbreak there, and thank everyone who has awaited this news for their patience.
This change will mean that travellers from South Australia no longer need to undertake 14 days quarantine, though other requirements for travel remain in place.

Following the latest public health advice, WA’s controlled interstate border will be safely adjusted, pending no further outbreaks, with travel from South Australia permitted into WA subject to the following updated conditions:

Anyone who arrives from SA into WA prior to 25 December will still be required to follow the rules under the ‘low risk’ category, including completing 14-days of self-quarantine.

All through this pandemic, we have followed the expert health advice – and it has kept WA safe and strong. It is that advice which now allows for these adjustments to our border arrangements with South Australia.
I know many people with family and friends in South Australia had their Christmas plans changed due to the recent SA outbreak – so I’m very glad to be able to make this safe adjustment in line with health advice.

South Australia Low-risk Covid-19 News since Hard Border stays with NSW, a new case in Victoria

Thanks again for your patience and understanding, and all the best for the holidays Merry Christmas.

The Department of Health has today reported one new case of COVID-19 in Western Australia, related to overseas travel. The case remains in hotel quarantine.

The State’s total now stands at 846.
WA Health is monitoring 11 active cases and 826 confirmed cases have recovered from the virus in WA.
There have been 606, 280 COVID-19 tests performed in WA. Of those tested, 98,602 were from regional WA.
– Travellers to WA from NSW –
NSW has now transitioned from a ‘low risk’ State to a ‘medium risk’ State, meaning the hard border with NSW has been reinstated. As a result, travel from NSW will no longer be permitted, unless you are an exempt traveller. This also applies to anyone who may have been in NSW since December 11 and hasn’t completed 14 days in a lower risk state or territory.
This means travellers need to meet a strict exemption category to enter WA. The exemption list for New South Wales is limited to:

These people will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and will be required to complete 14 days of self-quarantine, as well as undertake mandatory COVID-19 testing.
– Testing –
Anyone in WA will now be assessed for a COVID-19 test if they present with ANY of the following:

– have acute respiratory symptoms, for example, coughing, shortness of breath, sore throat
– acute loss of smell or taste
If you have these symptoms, please get tested, and help us identify every case of COVID-19 in WA as early as possible.
For more information on COVID-19 testing and to find your nearest testing location, please visit https://healthywa.wa.gov.au/ Articles/A_E/ COVID-clinics
– Controlled interstate border –

Under WA’s controlled interstate border, travel from ‘very low risk’ states and territories are permitted, with conditions on arrival including declarations, health screening and possible COVID-19 testing. These jurisdictions currently include Tasmania, Queensland, Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory and Victoria.

South Australia is classified as a low-risk state. This means that anyone travelling to Western Australia is required to:

The Chief Health Officer will continue to monitor and review these travel arrangements to determine if there can be any further adjustments in the future, should there be any significant changes in the public health situation.
Failure to follow these directions or providing false information will be enforceable by law, with penalties ranging from $1,000 infringements to up to $50,000 fines for individuals.
More information on WA’s controlled interstate border can be found at www.wa.gov.au/covid19
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Official information regarding COVID-19 in Western Australia – www.wa.gov.au/covid19
WA Department of Health information – www.healthywa.wa.gov.au
National Coronavirus Helpline – 1800 020 080
WA COVID-19 health and information and advice – 13 COVID (13 26843)
Smartraveller – information regarding travel advice for Australians – www.smartraveller.gov.au

Western Australia Hard Border stays with NSW – medium risk

Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced that eight new locally acquired coronavirus COVID-19 cases were recorded in the state, with seven of those linked to the Avalon RSL cluster on the Sydney Northern Beaches which now totals 90 cases.
Over the weekend, the Northern Beaches area was placed under lockdown and restrictions increased in Greater Sydney until midnight on Wednesday. Victoria, South Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory also confirmed border closures for residents from the Greater Sydney area.

NSW recorded eight locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8 pm last night and an additional 10 cases in returned travellers in hotel quarantine.

Seven of the locally acquired cases are linked to the Avalon cluster and one remains under investigation. NSW Health Authority urges people to continue to get tested as soon as even the mildest symptoms appear, as this is vital to helping us to contain the virus by stopping community transmission.

New Case in Victoria related to Avalon RSL outbreak cluster

If NSW has it Victoria will get it soon the rule of spreading.
A 15 years old Victorian returning from a New South Wales hotspot has tested positive to COVID-19. Victoria state Health Minister Martin Foley said the 15-year-old female is from the Moonee Valley Local Government Area and had driven home from Sydney with her mother.
They have isolated when they returned to Victoria and as a result of the awareness of the situation in Sydney, the young person has sought testing,” Victoria state Health Minister Martin Foley said.
From 11:59 pm Sunday 20 December, Greater Sydney & the Central Coast will become a red zone. The Northern Beaches will become a hot zone. Anyone trying to enter Victoria in breach of this order will be subjected to 14-day mandatory hotel quarantine.
Victorians in Greater Sydney, other than those from the Northern Beaches, will be given until 11:59 Monday 21 December to return home but they must apply for an exemption permit and then get tested within 24 hours of returning to Victoria.
Victoria Police will establish checkpoints along the VIC-NSW border to ensure only people with permits are allowed to cross into Victoria.

No community transmission has been confirmed in Western Australia. Stay Safe and keep social distancing wherever possible.

>>Read More Western Australia could face Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak in January