Close contacts of COVID cases will no longer have to quarantine from the end of this week, in an easing of South Australia’s COVID restrictions.
The change was agreed at Friday’s Emergency Management Council meeting, chaired by Premier Peter Malinauskas, with State Co-ordinator Grant Stevens and Chief Public Health Officer Professor Nicola Spurrier.
Premier Malinauskas said amending close contact rules would keep South Australia in line with changes to restrictions in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland and maintain the State Government’s objective of national consistency.
He said given close contacts were at higher risk of developing COVID-19, the following rules would be in place from 12.01am on Saturday, for close contacts and would apply for a period of seven days following the close contact’s exposure.
Close contacts will be required to undertake five Rapid Antigen Tests during the seven-day period; wear masks when leaving the house; be prohibited from high-risk settings and notify employers and educational facilities of their close contact status.
Close contacts should also avoid non-essential gatherings, avoid contact with people at risk of severe illness and if a close contact develops symptoms, they are required to undertake a PCR test and isolate until they receive a result.
People who test positive to COVID will still be required to quarantine for seven days, as per the existing rules.
