SA to reopen borders to travellers from Greater Melbourne in time for school holidays

South Australia will reopen its borders to travellers from Greater Melbourne on Friday, just in time for the Victorian school holidays. 

The decision was announced by SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens after a meeting of the state’s Transition Committee this morning.

The restrictions will lift from 12:01am on Friday, but travellers will need to isolate until they receive a negative day-one test.

They’ll also be banned from attending high-risk locations, such as aged care homes and major events.

“Simply isolate prior to getting the test and then they’re free to go about their business in South Australia,” SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said.

“Clearly people want to travel during the school holidays, it was a factor of the discussion, I would suggest it’s not the principal reason that we’re making changes, but it’s certainly one that we’re mindful of.”

The committee historically waits 14 days since the last case of community transmission before opening to another state.

“But the way the virus is being managed in Victoria has given our health experts a level of confidence, and they believe that within the next couple of days it will continue [in] the same direction, we’ll be in a position where we can make those changes,” Commissioner Stevens said.

Travellers banned from Adelaide Oval

Travellers from Greater Melbourne will still be banned from attending major events that require a COVID-19 management plan, including this week’s AFL match at Adelaide Oval.

SA Heath is yet to confirm if the Sydney Swans can enter the state for their clash against Port Adelaide on Saturday.

A potential time change is being considered to allow the Swans to fly in and out of the state on the same day.

Commissioner Stevens said he hadn’t yet heard of any changes, but if the Swans players had been in any high-risk locations in New South Wales, their travel plans could be in jeopardy.

“There would be some direct consultation with SA Health regarding what steps the club have put in place to isolate their players from high-risk locations,” he said.

“[But] there have been no specific discussions that I’ve been a party to regarding the Swans team coming into town.”

Regional Victorians will not be subject to any restrictions in South Australia.

It comes as SA has tightened restrictions for people arriving in the state from New South Wales.

Travellers from Sydney City, Bayside, Randwick City, Inner West, Woollahra Municipal Council and City of Canada Bay — who arrive in the state from today — will have to quarantine until they have a COVID-19 test.

They’ll also be required to have tests on day one, five and 13 and can’t attend large events or high risk areas for 14-days.

Anyone who has been in the Waverly Council area is still banned from entering the state.