**Last updated 26 February 2021

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COVID-19 Border Arrangements in South Australia

Current Direction

The latest direction may be cited as the Emergency Management (Cross Border Travel No 40) (COVID-19) Direction 2021.

It came into effect at 12:01am on 26 February 2021 and revokes the Emergency Management (Cross Border Travel No 39) (COVID-19) Direction 2021.

You can view the latest direction here.

 

Victoria COVID-19 Traveller Information

In effect from 12:01 am 26 February 2021:

Travel from Victoria and Greater Melbourne is permitted.

Travellers who arrived from Greater Melbourne and are subject to quarantine – if they have been to a high risk site are to remain segregated and isolated and contact SA Health regarding self-quarantine and COVID-19 testing requirements.

Travellers who arrived from Greater Melbourne and were not in a high risk site, can leave self-quarantine but must complete their day 1, 5 and 12 COVID-19 testing. However, if a person needs to attend a high risk setting (health, disability, aged care or correctional facility), they need to let the facility know they have been in High Community Transmission Zone in the past 14 days and will need to wear Personal Protective Equipment.

If you are entering South Australia from a Low Community-Transmission Zone you are not required to seek approval from SA Health, however, you are still required to complete the Cross Border Travel Registration.

 

 

Cross Border Travel Registration

All travellers coming to South Australia are required to complete a Cross-Border Travel Registration at least 7 days prior to travel, irrespective of whether they are from a low community transmission zone or a prescribed location.  For families, each individual must complete a separate cross-border travel registration form (including children).

You will experience delays on arrival if you have not completed an application for each person.

 

 

Travel into Victoria

The Victorian Government has established a permit system for all domestic travel into Victoria.

From 5:59pm on 11 January, you will need to apply for a permit to enter Victoria from anywhere in Australia. The permit application system will be available shortly.

The permit system is based on a traffic light system which allows for areas across Australia to be designated as green, orange or red according to their risk.

The permit system is for both travellers to Victoria and residents of Victoria returning home from interstate travel.

Further information and a link to the application is available here.

The Victorian Government Travel Permit FAQs indicate the permit application takes around five minutes to complete and a permit application can be done on the spot, but it is highly recommended that you complete the permit application prior to starting your journey.

 

Travelling interstate

If you want to travel from South Australia to another state, check the rules of the state you wish to travel to before you leave. Not all state travel arrangements are reciprocal. Find out more here.

Masks

Masks (covering the nose and mouth) must be worn on all airplanes an in all airport terminals. Exemptions apply if a person has a relevant medical condition with evidence, they need to see a person’s mouth for essential communication including people who are deaf or hard of hearing, when eating or drinking or is a child under the age of 12.

 

Changes to NZ border restrictions

On 24 February 2021, the Australian Chief Medical Officer advised:

1. As a result of the recent community transmission of a variant of concern in Auckland, New Zealand, Auckland will be designated a Commonwealth hotspot.
2. No person who has been in Auckland in the last 14 days will be permitted to board a green flight into Australia.
3. Auckland airport, for the purposes of travel only, is exempt.
4. Normal green flight arrangements will continue for travellers who have not been in Auckland in the last 14 days.
5. These arrangements will commence at 11.59 pm AEDT Wednesday, 24 February 2021 and operate until 11.59 pm 6 March 2021.

Further information is available here.

All overseas arrivals into Australia (including from NZ) are required to complete mandatory quarantine in an place determined by SA Health.  In the first instance this is likely to be an approved medi-hotel for 14 full days and nights. The date of arrival and check-in to the medi-hotel is counted as day 0.

Read more about International arrivals, including quarantine fees, applying for financial hardship and testing requirements.

 

 

Residential Aged Care Facilities

This direction may be cited as the Emergency Management (Residential Aged Care Facilities No 31) (COVID-19) Direction 2020.

It came into effect at 12:01 am on 17 February 2021 and revokes the Emergency Management (Residential Aged Care Facilities No 30) (COVID-19) Direction 2021.

Do not visit aged care facilities if you:

• have a fever or symptoms of a respiratory infection such as a cough, sore throat or shortness of breath

You cannot enter an aged care facility:

• if you have been directed by an authorised officer to quarantine
• have been in contact with:
  • a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days
  • anyone with a high temperature, fever, chills, symptoms of acute respiratory infection, or loss of taste and smell, in the last 72 hours

• from 1 June 2021 if you have not been vaccinated against 2021 seasonal influenza
• if you have undertaken a COVID-19 test and are awaiting the test result, unless part of routine surveillance testing and are not displaying symptoms.
• you were not in a Low Community Transmission Zone in the past 14 days, including from overseas or

• you are a person who is a restricted former Victorian arrival under a Former Victorian Arrivals Direction

If you are a restricted former Victorian arrival under the Former Victorian Arrivals Direction you are permitted to enter for the purpose of an end of life if you wear appropriate personal protective equipment while on the premises and you have received written confirmation of a negative COVID-19 test.

If you cannot visit your family and friends in a residential aged care facility, it’s important to keep in touch. Make phone or video calls, send postcards, photos or artwork or film short videos to share.

For more information on visits to residential aged care facilities, please click here.

The full Direction is available here.

 

 

Public Activities

This direction may be cited as the Emergency Management (Public Activities No 20) (COVID-19) Direction 2021.

It came into effect at 12:01 am on 26 February 2021 and revokes the Emergency Management (Public Activities No 19) (COVID-19) Direction 2020. You can read the direction here.

Gatherings

The following gathering provisions apply (find out more here):

Private function (including wedding and funerals)

200 people, maximum 1 person per 2 square metres.

Private functions include weddings, funerals, parties or any other function which is by invite only that is held at licensed premises. The function must be in a designated area which has no public access and where possible separate bathroom facilities from the rest of the venue.

Guests must use their best endeavours to remain segregated from other patrons at the premises. Food and beverages must have no shared utensils but can be consumed while standing. Dancing is also permitted.

Residential premises

If you have 50 people at a residential premises, there are no additional requirements.

If you have 51 to 200 people at a residential premises, you are required to have a COVID-Safe Plan, COVID Marshal and your guests must check-in via the COVID SAfe Check-in.

A gathering of up to 1,000 people occurring as part of a defined public activity is a permitted gathering but an approved COVID Management Plan is required for more than 1,000 people.

 

Changes to Restrictions on Dancing in Venues

For venues that have a capacity for over 1000 people, dancing and the consumption of alcohol is permitted if the venue acquires or updates a COVID Management Plan to demonstrate how dancing will adhere to COVID-safe practices. All other COVID conditions must be adhered to such as QR codes, the density requirement of 1 person per 2 square meters, and COVID Marshalls.

For venues that have 200-999 people present, dancing and the consumption of alcohol is permitted for 50 people at a time in a designated area. All other COVID conditions must be adhered to such as QR codes, the density requirement of 1 person per 2 square meters, and COVID Marshalls.

For venues that have 200 people or less present at a venue, dancing and the consumption of alcohol is permitted for all people present. All other COVID conditions must be adhered to such as QR codes, the density requirement of 1 person per 2 square meters, and COVID Marshalls.

QR Codes for South Australia

For Businesses

A COVID SAfe Check-In feature has been added to the free mySA GOV app.

Businesses with a COVID Safe Plan will receive a new COVID Safe Plan via email that includes a poster with a unique QR code. This should be printed and displayed in a prominent location within the business. When people arrive at a venue or business, they can check in by scanning the QR code using their smart phone through the mySA Gov app.

If people don’t have the app they can use their smart phone camera and a secure web form will open to check in. A paper recording log template is available as a back-up for people who don’t have a smart phone. You can download the template here.

People will receive a text confirmation when they check in.

From 1 December, all defined public activities must have a completed COVID Safe Plan and have an approved contact tracing system enabled.

From 14 December, all general retail industry premises must have a completed COVID Safe Plan and have an approved contact tracing system enabled.

All people entering the place upload their relevant contact details to the approved contact tracing system. This upload is automatic when you use the mySA Gov QR code and app.

A defined public activity is any of the following:

• onsite purchase and consumption of food or beverages (whether occurring in an indoor or outdoor area)
• sport (including sports training), fitness or recreation activities
• indoor public meetings
• ceremonies
• private functions
• weddings (including wedding ceremonies and receptions)
• funeral services (excluding wakes)
• provision of personal care services
• provision of public entertainment
• provision of recreational transport
• the operation of a nightclub
• the operation of relevant licensed premises
• the operation of a casino or gaming area (within the meaning of the Gaming Machines Act 1992)
• auctions and inspections of premises for the purpose of sale or rental of any property
• driver instruction
• the provision of health care, residential care, disability support or aged care services.

A general retail industry premises is a place where retail sale or hire of goods or services for personal, household, or business use occurs and where customers are physically present. This includes supermarkets, department stores, hardware stores, and general retail.

You will find an FAQ for businesses here.

For The Community

COVID SAfe Check-In is a new feature that has been added to the free mySA GOV app.

You can download the mySA GOV app using your smart phone. In the mySA GOV app, select the COVID SAfe Check-In tile when you arrive at a venue or business, and follow the prompts to scan their unique QR code and check in.

You are not required to login to use the COVID SAfe Check-In feature.

Download the app from Google Play or the App Store.

If you do not have a compatible smart phone, a paper record will be available for you to provide your details.

When you first enter the COVID SAfe Check-In tile, you will be asked to fill in your details and mobile number. You will then get a text message with a unique code to enter in to the app. This is to verify your phone number. You will only have to do this once.

 

 

Government Support and Programs

JobKeeper Payments – September Extension

From 28 September 2020, businesses and not-for-profits seeking to claim the JobKeeper Payment will be required to demonstrate that they have suffered a decline in turnover using actual GST turnover rather than projected GST turnover. For the JobKeeper fortnights starting 28 September 2020 and 12 October 2020 only, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) are allowing employers until 31 October 2020 to meet the wage condition for all employees included in the JobKeeper scheme.

Employers do not need to re-enrol to claim payments in the first extension if they are already enrolled in JobKeeper. They just need to check their continuing eligibility and submit this information online from 1 October 2020.

Further information on the JobKeeper extension is available here. A useful factsheet can be found here.

 

Support and Information Available from ATO

Support is available on the ATO website for anyone experiencing difficulties with tax obligations due to COVID-19. For help tailored to your circumstances call the Emergency Support Infoline on 1800 806 218 or email COVID-19Taxissues@ato.gov.au.

If you prefer to use a language other than English, phone the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 13 14 50 for help with your call. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can phone the Indigenous Helpline on 13 10 30.

The ATO website also includes significant information on support for Individuals, Sole traders and Business owners and operators – start here. For sole traders, you will find some specific information here.

 

Rural Business Support – Rural Financial Counselling

Rural Business Support (RBS) has a new financial counselling program that can support small business owners across the Limestone Coast find their way forward from COVID-19.

A Small Business Financial Counsellor is now based in the region and will be providing free, independent and confidential financial counselling services to eligible clients. For more information, visit the website.

 

business.gov.au

The Federal Government’s website business.gov.au is a key source of information on the financial assistance, eligibility and timing for the COVID-19 related financial support available for Australian businesses. The website also includes a range of tools, guides and information on matters like business planning, links to ATO and other useful resources for your business. They have also released a Continuing your business guide, designed to help business-owners understand what to do to keep their business operating.

 

Federal Government HomeBuilder Stimulus

HomeBuilder provides eligible owner-occupiers (including first home buyers) with a grant of $25,000 to build a new home or substantially renovate an existing home. HomeBuilder will assist the residential construction market by encouraging the commencement of new home builds and renovations.

Information on when and how you will be able to apply will become available through the relevant State or Territory revenue office in due course.

Information about what Homebuilder will mean for the construction industry is available on business.gov.au or by contacting 13 28 46. Please keep in touch with business.gov.au for updated State and Territory information as it becomes available.

You can find out more, read a FAQ’s factsheet or register for more information here.

 

COVID-19 and Australian Workplace Laws

The Fair Work Australia website contains information and links to relevant Government sites, on the topic of employer obligations during COVID-19. It addresses many questions employers may be asking, including pay and leave during the coronavirus, health and safety and ending employment.

 

Mental Health and Wellbeing Support

The Australian Government’s ‘Head to Health’ website is committed to providing Australians with trusted information and digital supports to help support everyone’s mental health and wellbeing during this pandemic. For information, resources and links to support services please visit this link.

There are other valuable services available to help you as you navigate life in a COVID-19 impacted world.

• Kids Help Line: 1800 55 1800 or kidshelpline.com.au
• Lifeline: 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au
• Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 or suicidecallbackservice.org.au
• beyondblue: 1300 224 636 or beyondblue.org.au

 

 

Rent Relief for Commercial Tenants

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced new rental waivers and deferrals for commercial tenants hit by the impact of the coronavirus crisis. Under the scheme, landlords will have to reduce leases in proportion to the reduction in the tenant’s business.

Deferrals — rental payments that will need to be made, but can be put off — must be spread over the remaining time on a lease and for no less than 24 months. The code will apply to any tenancies where the landlord or tenant applies for JobKeeper and where they have a turnover of $50 million or less.

Further information on the COVID-19 mandatory commercial tenancy code can be found here.

For essential information for South Australian Lessees and Lessors dealing with COVID-19, please visit the Small Business Commissioner at this link.

 

National Jobs Hub

The Australian Government has launched a new Jobs Hub, supporting businesses and those Australians looking for work. The Jobs Hub helps Australians looking for work find advertised vacancies.

An up-to-date list of a selection of businesses and organisations that are currently hiring, and how to contact them, can be found here.

While many businesses have been adversely affected by COVID-19 and are reducing their workforces, there are some areas of the economy which have an increased demand for workers.

Employers who are hiring and want support to connect with potential candidates can also contact the Department of Education, Skills and Employment at workforce@dese.gov.au to be connected directly with businesses reducing their workforces; and the employment services network to source suitable candidates.

 

 

South Australian Restrictions, Programs and Support

Local COVID-19 Testing

Current arrangements for COVID-19 testing at LCLHN sites:

• Mount Gambier Showgrounds: Hours: 8:00am to 4:00pm, 7 days a week. Urgent testing outside of these hours can be discussed by calling (08) 8721 1200.
• Naracoorte Hospital: Hours: 8:00am to 4:00pm, 7 days a week
• Millicent Hospital: Hours: 1:30pm to 2:30pm. Please phone (08) 8733 0100 to arrange testing or discuss urgent testing outside these hours.

For further information please call the SA COVID-19 Information Line on 1800 253 787 between the hours of 9:00am to 5:00pm 7 days per week or go to the SA Health website or www.sa.gov.au/covid-19

 

 

South Australian Paid Pandemic Leave Scheme

The State Government will introduce a Paid Pandemic Leave Scheme in South Australia, offering ‘isolation’ payments of up to $1,500 for eligible workers who are required to quarantine. They can also be offered to those who care for someone required to quarantine, for up to 14 days following a positive COVID-19 test or as a result of a public health directive. Under the scheme a separate upfront ‘testing’ payment of $300 will be available for eligible workers in an identified COVID-19 cluster who are required to self-isolate while awaiting a coronavirus test result or as a result of a public health directive. A designated COVID-19 cluster is one notified by the Chief Public Health Officer, Professor Nicola Spurrier, or her delegate.

Other eligibility criteria for the Paid Pandemic Leave Scheme in South Australia includes:

• Recipient must be 17 years old and over;
• Be a citizen, permanent resident or holder of necessary visa and work permits;
• Be a casual employee or full-time or part-time employee who can demonstrate they would have ordinarily worked, and cannot as a result of the need to isolate, and has no or insufficient entitlement to necessary paid leave;
• Is not receiving any other Australian Government payments such as JobSeeker or JobKeeper during the period of self-isolation;

Individuals who are required to quarantine for 14 days (or more) due to returning from overseas or interstate would not be eligible for the payment. People who consider they meet the eligibility criteria will be required to apply for the payment through an online application process, to be administered by the Department for Human Services. Confirmation of a pandemic leave payment will also be made to their employer, to provide additional surety that an employee does not return to work for the required period. View the media release here.

 

 

COVID Marshal

From 21 August 2020, you must have a COVID Marshal if your business or activity is or involves any of the following:

• The onsite purchase and consumption of food or beverages (indoor and outdoor);
• Ceremonies;
• Supermarkets;
• Hardware stores;
• Distribution centres (including associated transport operations);
• Gymnasiums and fitness centres;
• Swimming pools used by the public;
• Social and sporting clubs (indoor and outdoor);
• Any activity where a COVID Management Plan is required; and
• Any operation which may be defined by the state coordinator.

For more information on the Roles and responsibilities of a COVID Marshal, please visit this webpage.

COVID Marshal fact sheets are available here. 

 

 

Who needs to create a COVID-Safe Plan?

The Public Activities COVID-19 Direction places conditions on businesses that conduct a number of Defined public activities.

Businesses involved in a Defined public activity must have a COVID-Safe Plan in place in order to trade.

See Activities and gatherings for:

• definitions of Defined public activities
• businesses and activities that are still restricted
• businesses and activities that are excluded from the Direction.

If you have not completed a COVID-Safe Plan, do not have this available at your premises, or do not comply with current Directions, you can be fined up to $5,000.

To find out more about the COVID-Safe Plan and for the link to the online form, please visit this webpage.

 

Voluntary and Retail COVID-Safe Plan

This COVID-Safe Plan is appropriate for retail environments with no onsite food or beverage consumption.

It can also be used by activities and businesses that are not legally required to complete a COVID-Safe Plan, but would like to have one as an extra precaution, and to use the COVID-SAfe Check-In QR Code.

Create a Voluntary COVID-Safe Plan.

Note:

• Retail operations (stores, supermarkets, etc) can create a Voluntary and Retail COVID‑Safe Plan in order to receive a COVID‑SAfe Check‑In QR code.
• If you offer onsite consumption of food and beverages as part of your retail operation, you will need to complete a mandatory COVID‑Safe Plan.
• If you or your business conducts a Defined Public Activity and completes a Voluntary Plan, this Plan will not include the legal requirements that apply to you and you will be in breach of current Emergency Management Directions.
  Please make sure you complete the correct type of Plan.

 

COVID Management Plan

A COVID Management Plan, approved by SA Health, will be required for:

• a defined public activity where more than 1000 people are reasonably expected to be present at or participating in the activity
• the onsite purchase and consumption of food or beverages at a place where the total number of persons present at the place for the purpose of the purchase and consumption of food or beverages is reasonably expected to exceed 1000 people
• the operation of a nightclub
• the operation of relevant licensed premises

In some cases, your events/business/activity may require both a COVID Management Plan and a COVID-Safe Plan for each vendor.  For the Management Plan, please visit this link and scroll down.

 

Information on Commercial Leasing

New legislation and regulations were brought into effect on 15 May concerning commercial leases in the Covid-19 pandemic environment.

The Act and Regulations make various temporary modifications in relation to commercial leases in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including stopping evictions.

Further information can be found here. A video from the Small Business Commissioner outlining the changes can be viewed here.

 

Land Tax Relief Boost for Landlords and Tenants

A land tax relief scheme which supports landlords provide significant rent reductions for their residential and commercial SME tenants impacted by COVID-19 restrictions will be significantly expanded and extended by 6 months, to the end of April next year. Under the State Government scheme, eligible landlords now can receive up to a 50% reduction on their 2019-20 land tax liability on affected properties (up from 25%) – provided they pass on the full benefit in land tax relief to their impacted tenants. View more information and the media release here.

 

South Australian Support for Tourism Operators

The State Government has announced a $5.7 million financial support package to help local tourism operators get through – and continue well past – the current COVID-19 crisis.

The two major funding packages, the Small Tourism Business Grant Fund and the Regional Events Grant Fund are now closed.  If you have any questions relating to the Grant Funds, please email.

In addition, the SA Tourism Commission (SATC) has developed other programs which will assist the industry more widely including the Digital Training Program, Regional Funding Support Program and the Resilience and Rebound Project.

For more details, eligibility, dates, terms and conditions, and to apply, visit the SATC Tourism Response Portal.

Fee and rent relief for nature-based tourism businesses including fishing – The South Australian Government will provide fee and rent relief for nature-based tourism businesses (including boating experiences and fishing) who have been significantly impacted in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. View media release here.