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Covid-19 SA Border Requirements - Essential Travellers, 6 November

Friday, 6 November 2020

Information for Essential Travellers – Commercial Transport and Freight Services

06 November 2020

Clarification on South Australia’s Testing Requirements for Commercial Transport and Freight Services entering SA from Low Community Transmission Zones

Low Community Transmission Zones are WA, NT, NSW, QLD, ACT, TAS and NZ.

Commercial Transport and Freight Services Essential Travellers are advised that if entering SA having only been in Low Community Transmission Zones in the preceding 14 days, then testing requirements do not apply. Testing requirements remain for all other people in this category (those who have been in Victoria in the preceding 14 days).

Border checks will be continued by Authorised Officers to verify origins of operators and to ensure those who are entering from Victoria continue to abide by testing requirements.

Entering South Australia from Victoria

Commercial Transport and Freight Services Essential Travellers approved to enter SA from Victoria must keep close contact records and, upon request of an authorised officer, provide evidence of a COVID-19 test or a COVID-19 test result relating to a test undertaken in the preceding 7 days. Alternatively a COVID-19 test may be undertaken within 24 hours of entering and again on day 12.

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

Testing Stations

SA Pathology’s mobile services provide free COVID-19 testing for interstate truck drivers requiring tests. No bookings are required.

In line with the easing of COVID-19 testing requirements, some Essential Traveller testing sites may close. Please check SA Heath’s website for the latest information.

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.
  • Yamba
    Yamba Quarantine Station, National Highway, A20
    Open 0700h to 1930h, 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 1300h – 1500h, 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.

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 is no requirement to self-quarantine while waiting for test results; unless displaying symptoms of COVID-19.

South Australian Emergency Act Declaration

The current extension to the Declaration of a Major Emergency, which commenced on 17 October 2020, remains in place.

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

Freight Movement Code

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

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