Starting 12.01am Saturday, close contacts with no symptoms will no longer need to isolate here in South Australia. Premier Malinauskas announced these changes last Friday and understood that this will be a big relief for small business owners across the state.
On behalf of members, the South Australian Business Chamber is pleased that these rules are changing as it will help the business community ensure staff without symptoms can continue to work and businesses continue to operate.
“Although it is a big relief for many in our community, we can provide assurance to others that it’s being done in a safe way that can be managed,” Mr Malinauskas said.
Some rules remain, though, including that close contacts must wear a mask when they leave home and not attend high-risk settings like hospitals and aged care facilities. Close contacts will need to complete five rapid antigen tests within seven days. If any symptoms develop, they must undertake a PCR test and isolate until they receive their result. If they return a positive result, they will be required to quarantine for seven days.
Workers who are close contacts are required to notify their employers.
Any close contacts before the cut off date still need to isolate. However, they can leave as soon as the rules change (with a negative RAT).
This decision followed those earlier in the week when New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland all removed their close contact rules.
