South Australian premier Steven Marshall has outlined a road map to reopening the state’s borders to all states and territories – as well as overseas arrivals – for fully vaccinated people.
From November 23, when the state is expected to reach 80 per cent vaccination (for the population aged 16 and over), interstate border restrictions will be removed for those who are fully vaccinated, and quarantine time for fully vaccinated international arrivals will be reduced from 14 days to seven. Quarantine rules will still apply for domestic travellers coming from council areas experiencing an outbreak or where less than 80 per cent of the population is fully vaxxed.
From the November 23 opening date – a week earlier than previous projections – caps on home gatherings will also increase from 20 to 30 people. Masks in indoor public settings, density limits at public venues and QR code check-ins will remain.
When South Australia is 90 per cent vaccinated (for the population aged 12 and over), fully vaccinated overseas arrivals will no longer need to quarantine and the majority of restrictions will be removed in SA. "High-risk" activities such as nightclubs and standing while drinking will return – for fully vaxxed people only.
While final modelling is not yet available, the premier said he hopes the 90 per cent mark will be reached by Christmas. “We need as many South Australians to be vaccinated as quickly as possible so we can have as normal a Christmas as possible.”
The state's current vaccination rates for over-16s are 62.6 per cent fully vaccinated and 79.3 per cent first dose. The 12 and over rates are 60 per cent fully vaccinated and 77.2 per cent first dose.
