With five COVID cases of the Delta strain now detected in South Australia, the state government is hedging its bets against outcomes seen in NSW and Victoria, with Premier Steven Marshall taking South Australia into a 7-day lockdown, effective 6:00pm AEST last night.
“We hate putting these restrictions in place but we believe we have one chance to get this right,” Mr Marshall said.
The only reasons to leave home are to care for someone, for essential work, to purchase essential goods such as food, exercise with people from the same household and healthcare — including COVID testing and vaccination. Exercise must be within 2.5 kilometres of home and only for up to 90 minutes per day.
Support for businesses is expected to be announced today.
In Victoria, Premier Daniel Andrews delivered the news most were expecting, that the ‘snap lockdown’ would be extended for a further 7 days. Mr Andrews also cited the growing case numbers and outbreaks in Sydney, reassuring residents that Victoria has moved quickly and decisively to avoid the situation in NSW.
With three states and approximately 13 million people currently in lockdown across the country, other states and territories have, understandably, introduced new border restrictions for NSW, Victoria and now South Australia.