SA will head back into some of its lockdown conditions from midnight tonight as the state works to "act swiftly and decisively" to manage the latest outbreak of COVID-19.
This morning, the state government announced there were 17 active cases, with a number in northern Adelaide, as well as some more from overseas travellers in quarantine.
At a press conference this afternoon, Premier Steven Marshall announced they were introducing several measures to "slow and stop the spread".
"We must act swiftly and decisively and we cannot wait to see how it goes,' he said.
Extra testing facilities with extended hours have been installed, while the contact tracing team has been boosted.
Mr Marshall said all international inbound flights have been suspended at their request to ensure there are adequate medi-hotel capacity for local people.
He said he would also be working with Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the Australian Defense Force.
"The next 24 hours will be critical and we will not wait for the situation to deteriorate," he said.
He said the government was issuing some advice, as well as some directions to be introduced from midnight tonight.
Among the advice is a recommendation to work from home where possible, for vulnerable people to stay home and any unnecessary travel to be avoided.
Mr Marshall said there was also advice for people to wear masks where socially distancing was not possible, such as on public transport.
He said the new directions coming in would see the closure of gyms, recreation centres and play areas for the next two weeks, as well as the temporary cancellation of community sport.
He said outdoor boot camps would likely still be able to continue with restrictions similar to those in the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Funerals will be capped at 50 people, while churches will have attendance capped at 100, with requirements for a one person to four square metres.
Weddings will not have a cap reintroduced but guests will be required to register online ahead of time.
Pubs, clubs and restaurants will also have their venues capped at 100 with no stand up consumption allowed.
Private residences will also return to a cap of 10 people.
Service providers such as hairdressers will need to wear mandatory masks while clients are also encouraged to wear masks.
Any activities with a pre-approved COVID Management Plan have been cancelled.
Schools will remain open.
Chief public health officer Nicola Spurrier said these requirements were a case of them choosing to "go hard, go early and then review it".
"We say two weeks but it may be lifted earlier," she said.
Professor Spurrier said SA was facing the potential of a second wave, but wasn't there yet.
"We need to stop and suppress the second wave so have to put some restrictions in place," she said.
She said everyone had the responsibility to "maintain excellent hygiene" and get on top of this.
Prof Spurrier said for now this would not impact the December 1 changes to the Vic border.
"The risk for us is in our own community, need to focus on that at the moment," she said.
Yesterday WA announced anyone travelling from SA would be required to quarantine for two weeks on arrival while the NT, Tas and Qld have also placed border restrictions in place.
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Elizabeth Anderson
Editor of Stock Journal.
Editor of Stock Journal.
