South Australia has reported no new coronavirus cases as the state begins a six-day hard lockdown to contain a dangerous COVID-19 cluster and Victoria announces border restrictions.
The so-called Parafield cluster remained at 23 confirmed infections on Thursday with three people in hospital in a stable condition.
However Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier said there were 17 more suspected cases.
As a result of contact tracing and testing, 3,200 close contacts of known cases were in quarantine and thousands more were self-isolating, she said.
Premier Steven Marshall praised the thousands of South Australians who flocked to testing stations over the past two days with more than 20,000 swabs taken.
He said the statewide shutdown remained absolutely necessary to prevent more widespread community transmission.
“The lessons of surging infections in Victoria and other parts of the world have been learnt,” Mr Marshall said.
“Indecision plays into the hands of this virus.
“COVID-19 is highly infectious, extremely dangerous and very difficult to eradicate once it gets a foothold in a community.
“So we need this circuit-breaker, this breathing space for a contact tracing blitz.”
Under the lockdown, people who aren’t essential workers are only allowed to leave their homes once each day to buy groceries or to seek a COVID-19 test or other medical treatment. Face masks are required outside the home.
All schools are closed along with universities, pubs, cafes, retail stores, food courts and takeaway food outlets. Regional travel is banned and aged care centres are in lockdown.
Weddings and funerals are also banned along with all outdoor sport and exercise.
Supermarkets, petrol stations, medical centres, critical infrastructure, public transport, airport and freight services, banks, post offices, school and childcare for essential workers and veterinary services are open.
All being well, the six-day lockdown will be followed by another eight days of heavy but less stringent restrictions.
Victoria closes its border to South Australia
The Victorian government, meanwhile, has announced it will temporarily close its border with South Australia.
The government on Thursday announced a hard border will be introduced from 11.59pm and remain for 48 hours before a permit system comes into effect from 11.59pm on Saturday.
“We know border communities have had an incredibly difficult year – and we don’t take these decisions lightly,” Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said in a statement on Thursday.
“Out public health team will work closely with South Australia to monitor the outbreak and get the border back open as soon as it’s safe to do so.”
The border decision comes after fragments of the virus that cause COVID-19 were detected in wastewater along Victorian freight routes.
The government says the preliminary positive results at wastewater treatment plants in Portland and Benalla are concerning, given no residents in either area are known to have recently had the coronavirus.
“We’re asking all locals and visitors in Portland and Benalla with any symptoms at all to please come forward and get tested today,” Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley said in a statement.
Under the hard border introduced on Thursday night, only freight drivers, those with legal authorisation or medical, emergency or urgent animal welfare reasons will be able to pass through the border.
The details of the permit scheme are still being finalised ahead of Saturday, but reasons to enter Victoria from South Australia will include providing essential services, accessing essential supplies, performing agricultural work, receiving medical care, obtaining medical supplies and compassionate grounds.
With reporting by Jodie Stephens.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your jurisdiction’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. News and information is available in 63 languages at https://sbs.com.au/coronavirus
Please check the relevant guidelines for your state or territory: NSW,Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Northern Territory, ACT, Tasmania.
