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Covid-19 SA Border Requirements - Essential Travellers, 24 September

Thursday, 24 September 2020

Information for Essential Travellers – Commercial Transport and Freight Services

24 September 2020

South Australian Emergency Act Declaration

The Governor of South Australia approved a further 28 day extension of the existing Declaration of a Major Emergency, which commenced on 19 September 2020.

Extension of the legislation continues management of South Australia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic’s health and economic impacts.

South Australian Border open to New South Wales

From today, South Australia has further eased restrictions for interstate travel, opening its borders with New South Wales.  Those entering South Australia from New South Wales will not be required to quarantine or undertake testing unless they display COVID-19 symptoms.  This only applies for those travelling directly from NSW without passing through Victoria.

Essential Travellers passing through Victoria must keep records of travel, have documentation from their employer and have evidence of, or undertake, a COVID-19 test within last seven days or, as directed by an Authorised Officer, undertake a test within 24 hours on entering SA.

Commercial Transport and Freight Services Essential Travellers approved to enter SA from Victoria must also keep records of travel, have documentation from their employer and have evidence of, or undertake, a COVID-19 test within last seven days or, as directed by an Authorised Officer (eg Police Officer), undertake a test within 24 hours on entering SA.

Freight Movement Code

Information on the Freight Movement Code for the Domestic Border Controls – Freight Movement Protocol can be found here: Cross Border Code.

Please ensure you obtain and keep proof of testing, eg receipt, text or photo, to show an Authorised Officer if requested.

COVID Marshals for Distribution Centres

COVID Marshals are required at venues including freight distribution centres. Marshals have a highly visible presence and assist to monitor capacity, physical distancing and infection and hygiene controls. The SA Government has updated the requirements for Public Activities.

Testing Stations

SA Pathology’s mobile collection services provide free COVID-19 testing for interstate truck drivers and interstate travellers requiring swabs. No bookings are required. Testing sites are located at:

  • Bordertown
    Border Site, Dukes Highway
    Open 0800 to 1600h, seven days per week
  • Mount Gambier
    Border Site, Princes Highway
    Open 0800h to 1600h, seven days per week.

    In addition:
    There is a COVID-19 clinic now located at the Mount Gambier Showgrounds, Pick Avenue, Mount Gambier.
    Open 0800h to 1600h, seven days per week week.
  • Yamba
    Yamba Quarantine Station, National Highway, A20
    Open 0700h to 1900h, seven days per week.
  • Tailem Bend
    Caltex Service Station, 8786 Princes Hwy
    Open midnight to 1600h, seven days per week.
  • Port Augusta
    Puma Port Augusta Truck stop, Lot 8, National Highway 1
    Open 0800h – 2300h, seven days per week.

Please note testing site hours of operation may vary depending upon staffing availability.

Road Border Entry Requirements

All Commercial Transport and Freight Services Essential Travellers into South Australia are still required to complete a cross border registration form at least 72 hours prior to arrival.

Authorised Officers at the border will note whether evidence of a test was sighted or a direction to obtain a test was given for those travellers who have come from, or passed through, Victoria.  If directed to a testing site you can use the referral form you received at the border to attend a drive-through testing clinic.

All commercial transport and freight Essential Travellers who are residents of Victoria must wear a face mask when entering South Australia and self-quarantine in their truck or other private arrangements when not undertaking work-related duties. This is not a requirement for essential freight workers who are not Victorian residents.

There are no restrictions on travellers who have completed cross border registration from low community transmission zones provided that they have not been in any other place than the low community transmission zone within the last 14 days. There is no requirement to self-quarantine while waiting for test results; unless displaying symptoms of COVID-19.

Maritime Crew Essential Travellers

Maritime crew arriving into South Australia from overseas via aircraft must reside and remain, quarantined and segregated from others, at a location determined by an Authorised Officer for a 14-day period starting at the time of their arrival.

Fact sheets, linked below, have been provided for the Maritime industry to detail:

Self-Quarantine Requirements

When self-quarantining, once the person has arrived at the place to commence self-quarantining they must:

  • Stay in that place segregated from other persons for the period beginning on the day of arrival and ending at midnight on the 14th day; and
  • Where they are residing and remaining at short term accommodation they must inform the owner or operator that they are self-quarantining.

For updates relevant to industry directions issued in South Australia, visit www.dit.sa.gov.au/covidborderinfo