South Australia goes into six day “circuit breaker” lockdown

Chief Public Health Officer, Nicola Spurrier, has described this lockdown as a “circuit breaker” for the recent resurgence of COVID-19 in the State.

South Australians will not be able to leave their house to exercise for those six days and only one person per household is allowed to leave once a day to get essential items.

Older Australians will be self-isolated at home as everyone else is at the State. However, if you require help, you should coordinate with your family around how you should get help, whether they come and stay, or drop off supplies.

Closed over the six days:

• Aged care facilities and disability care facilities

• Schools and universities

• Cafés, restaurants and pubs (takeaway will not be available over this period)

• Elective surgery

• Open inspections

• Outdoor sport and physical activity

• FIFO (fly-in fly-out) workers

• Regional travel

• Construction industry

• Holiday home lease or rental

• Weddings and funerals

Remaining open over the six days:

• Medical facilities and places with medical supplies

• End of life visits for hospitals and aged care

• Supermarkets (provisions for vulnerable community members)

• Petrol stations and public transport

• Emergency or necessary surgery

• Veterinary surgeries

• Critical infrastructure, like power, telecommunications and water

• Banks and post offices

• Childcare for families of essential workers

• Airport and essential freight

You are able to leave the house if you are:

• One person from a household once a day to go to a supermarket for essential supplies

• An emergency services worker or providing essential services

• To receive medical care or if you are seeking a COVID-19 test

• To buy medical supplies

• Organised end of life visits

• An emergency situation (which has not been specified)

• For agricultural work

When going out for essential services, you must be wearing a mask. Additionally, police will be able to question anyone about why they are outside their home.

Public transport will still be running, however, you are required to put 1.5 metres of physical distance between yourself and others. South Australian Police are asking people to be patient with public transport and are encouraging people to take the next bus, tram or train if there are too many people.

All post offices will continue working, you should be required to wear a mask while inside. It can be expected that some packages may be put on hold due to the restrictions on workplaces.

The Premier says to expect similar Melbourne-like lockdown restrictions for eight days after this ‘circuit breaker’ lockdown period. 

Head to the State Government’s COVID-19 website for the full list of restrictions for this lockdown.

Keep an eye on this article on Talking Aged Care for more updates as this story develops.