Australian state border restrictions

[nutwood]

It may have been discussed before but coming from NSW ( a level 2 low risk area ) the post Nov 23 requirements ask for “ COVID-19 test taken in 72 hours prior to arrival in SA”. Does this include a confirmed negative result, or can you enter even if the results are pending ?
A friend is booked to fly tomorrow morning and is concerned the results might not be through by then. The confusion arrives because the website specifically mentions a negative covid result if travelling from a high risk area :-

• Negative COVID-19 test result received in 72 hours prior to arrival in SA

This is a very valid question that's going to become more pertinent as they try to make these requirements work. I've got to visit an industrial site in December. Must have negative Covid test within 72 hours. I queried as to what happens if you don't have a result and was instantly dismissed with "Covid results are coming through in a few hours now".
It appears that no-one is thinking through processes to deal with the circumstance where tests don't come through. It may not be practical to take the test at the 72 hour point. Then it only takes a couple of minor delays to blow a four hour turnaround out to four days. Anyone who has had to rely on an "overnight" airbag, knows how quickly things can go pear shaped when the timing is critical.

 

[Pushka]

This is a very valid question that's going to become more pertinent as they try to make these requirements work. I've got to visit an industrial site in December. Must have negative Covid test within 72 hours. I queried as to what happens if you don't have a result and was instantly dismissed with "Covid results are coming through in a few hours now".
It appears that no-one is thinking through processes to deal with the circumstance where tests don't come through. It may not be practical to take the test at the 72 hour point. Then it only takes a couple of minor delays to blow a four hour turnaround out to four days. Anyone who has had to rely on an "overnight" airbag, knows how quickly things can go pear shaped when the timing is critical.

Another issue is international arrivals who may arrive via Melb or Sydney. Pretty much impossible to do the pre test prior to Australia then the pre test for SA. I wouldn't worry. Reckon it's just the double vaxxed that may be checked. Give it a couple of weeks and it will all just be too hard to enforce.

 

[eastwest101]

If they try to do a free test in NSW as well, they’ll have to isolate under the public health order.

I expect NSW testing sites to refuse testing to those without a NSW address.

I will have to try to find it but don't a lot of areas in NSW have Surveillance Testing in place? For people who need regular testing (e.g. aged care workers, health care etc), so you can go to a NSW drive-through clinic and say you want Surveillance Testing and there is no need to isolate until the test results come back.

From the ABC regarding QLD Border Testing requirements:

PCR tests are free for people with COVID-19 symptoms, but otherwise they cost around $150 at a private pathology clinic.

The federal government has already refused Queensland's demands to alter Medicare, accusing the government of "walking away" from its responsibilities to pay for its share of the tests.

On Friday, a spokesperson for federal Health Minister Greg Hunt reinforced the message.

"The National Partnership on COVID-19 Response, which all governments have signed, includes a 50 per cent funding contribution from the Australian government towards COVID-19 testing," the spokesperson said.

"The Commonwealth funds 100 per cent of Medicare-funded tests and 50 per cent of state-based tests.

So I guess it all depends on the definition of what a State-Based test is, if a state is demanding it then surely the state demanding it should be liable to pay? There will be some interesting scenes at testing clinics if people are denied tests because of the colour of their driver's licence, e.g. for the case of QLD residents with QLD drivers licences but located in VIC/ACT or NSW. I can sort of see why the NSW government and NSW taxpayers would be reluctant to fund other states frolics, so it will be interesting to see how this develops. Seems the QLD government also want to keep their NSW colleagues in the dark as well:

Just weeks before the borders reopen, confusion remains over what the rules will mean for border residents.

NSW Cross Border commissioner James McTavish said Queensland Health had not informed him of its plans, despite repeated requests for clarity.

"We'd like to know in advance of the plans that have been put in place, and we'd like to be able to provide some surety to all people in all border communities," he said.

 

[antycbr]

I will have to try to find it but don't a lot of areas in NSW have Surveillance Testing in place? For people who need regular testing (e.g. aged care workers, health care etc), so you can go to a NSW drive-through clinic and say you want Surveillance Testing and there is no need to isolate until the test results come back.
So I guess it all depends on the definition of what a State-Based test is, if a state is demanding it then surely the state demanding it should be liable to pay? There will be some interesting scenes at testing clinics if people are denied tests because of the colour of their driver's licence, e.g. for the case of QLD residents with QLD drivers licences but located in VIC/ACT or NSW. I can sort of see why the NSW government and NSW taxpayers would be reluctant to fund other states frolics

Most surveillance programs have been abandoned or moved to RAT tests/closed testing through employers with the requirements. Broad scale asymptomatic testing just chewed up test capacity.

You can be sure Dom won’t be happy to fund tests for Queensland after they ripped up the HQ bill.

 

[eastwest101]

This is a very valid question that's going to become more pertinent as they try to make these requirements work. I've got to visit an industrial site in December. Must have negative Covid test within 72 hours. I queried as to what happens if you don't have a result and was instantly dismissed with "Covid results are coming through in a few hours now".
It appears that no-one is thinking through processes to deal with the circumstance where tests don't come through. It may not be practical to take the test at the 72 hour point. Then it only takes a couple of minor delays to blow a four hour turnaround out to four days. Anyone who has had to rely on an "overnight" airbag, knows how quickly things can go pear shaped when the timing is critical.

I could very well believe that dismissive "Covid tests are coming through in a few hours" remark, obviously, spoken like a true public servant bureaucrat, whoever has said that does not work in a lab or has ever had a courier delivery get delayed because of weather/strike/airport shutdowns/traffic delays/laboratory issues & extraordinary circumstances.

Tests in NSW recently that were supposed to have a 24hr turnaround, sometimes blew out to 2-3 days for a variety of reasons, so I think the tighter the test window requirement is the more likely they are going to have hundreds of people stranded at airports and border crossings due to silly things like an IT stuff up at the lab or a power/telecommunication outage somewhere.

 

[eastwest101]

Most surveillance programs have been abandoned or moved to RAT tests/closed testing through employers with the requirements. Broad scale asymptomatic testing just chewed up test capacity.

You can be sure Dom won’t be happy to fund tests for Queensland after they ripped up the HQ bill.

Exactly - that's why many employers use RAT testing - so as not to use up all the testing capacity that is required for genuine time-sensitive testing in the community and cases where there is a suspicion of an infection and we need to know quickly..

 

[nutwood]

I could very well believe that dismissive "Covid tests are coming through in a few hours" remark, obviously, spoken like a true public servant bureaucrat, whoever has said that does not work in a lab or has ever had a courier delivery get delayed because of weather/strike/airport shutdowns/traffic delays/laboratory issues & extraordinary circumstances.

Tests in NSW recently that were supposed to have a 24hr turnaround, sometimes blew out to 2-3 days for a variety of reasons, so I think the tighter the test window requirement is the more likely they are going to have hundreds of people stranded at airports and border crossings due to silly things like an IT stuff up at the lab or a power/telecommunication outage somewhere.

That's exactly my point. Three plane loads of people arrive for scrutiny but the testing lab has had a crisis; lightning strike, major power outage or a cleaner identified as a close contact. Suddenly no test results. Now what?

 

[oznflfan]

That's exactly my point. Three plane loads of people arrive for scrutiny but the testing lab has had a crisis; lightning strike, major power outage or a cleaner identified as a close contact. Suddenly no test results. Now what?

Simple, when no more room in the airside terminal the possibly infected just spill out onto the runway

 

[jakeseven7]

Simple, when no more room in the airside terminal the possibly infected just spill out onto the runway

What if the baggage handlers drive past and catch covid though?

 

[Stusipad]

Here's my question l haven't seen an answer to.. If someone needs to visit SA for a single event/meeting/dinner and then leaving again within 24hrs, does the daily safety check requirement for 14days apply? You would think not, but then again...

 

[eastwest101]

That's exactly my point. Three plane loads of people arrive for scrutiny but the testing lab has had a crisis; lightning strike, major power outage or a cleaner identified as a close contact. Suddenly no test results. Now what?

We will find out shortly once borders reopen, another possibility is a big weather system moving through southeast Australia causing the usual havoc and disruptions and missed connections with flights, people turning up maybe 24 hours later than intended so their Covid tests may be a bit older than anticipated, what then? Send them all back to their point of origin while flights are already overbooked or disrupted?

 

[anchew]

It may have been discussed before but coming from NSW ( a level 2 low risk area ) the post Nov 23 requirements ask for “ COVID-19 test taken in 72 hours prior to arrival in SA”. Does this include a confirmed negative result, or can you enter even if the results are pending ?
A friend is booked to fly tomorrow morning and is concerned the results might not be through by then. The confusion arrives because the website specifically mentions a negative covid result if travelling from a high risk area :-

• Negative COVID-19 test result received in 72 hours prior to arrival in SA

At the presser, Steven Marshall stated that "they don't need to get the result" when talking about getting a COVID test 72 hours before arrival

 

[kelvedon]

At the presser, Steven Marshall stated that "they don't need to get the result" when talking about getting a COVID test 72 hours before arrival

Thanks for that. The website was rather ambiguous, Saying you needed a Covid test but not mentioning that you didn’t need the results yet unless you came from a high risk area.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Meanwhile, I flew from Melbourne to Coffs Harbour and walked out the front door of the airport without seeing or speaking to anyone from NSW health.

The other states aren't going to see me for a long time if they keep up this ridiculous playbook. My sympathies to those who need to go for good reasons and navigate the bureaucracy... Eventually I'll have to deal with McGowan's kingdom...

 

[Pushka]

What if the baggage handlers drive past and catch covid though?

Qantas excelled at doing that. That's how the people I know who had covid waaaay back developed it. Will be curious to see the toilet paper aisles today.

 

[Kangol]

Has anyone successfully applied for the Entrycheck SA application?
I'm trying to help my elderly uncle with his application, there is an error with uploading the PDF certificate. I might have to try again with a different computer. He is from a level 3 (moderate) risk area if that makes a difference.
If anyone has done it, what is the time line for approval?

He uses the PDF printout when required but due to age and other factors, doesn't exactly go out all the time. Surely if there is an issue with the online application, he can show his ID and paper certificate if required.
Visit is in just over a week from now.

 

[Pushka]

Has anyone successfully applied for the Entrycheck SA application?
I'm trying to help my elderly uncle with his application, there is an error with uploading the PDF certificate. I might have to try again with a different computer. He is from a level 3 (moderate) risk area if that makes a difference.
If anyone has done it, what is the time line for approval?

He uses the PDF printout when required but due to age and other factors, doesn't exactly go out all the time. Surely if there is an issue with the online application, he can show his ID and paper certificate if required.
Visit is in just over a week from now.

I have. I used an Ipad. I received an acceptance email about 24 hours later. Coming from overseas so high risk and lots for them to think about. When I applied you had to be planning to come to SA within the next two weeks. I used a PDF of both International and Aus certificate I'd saved on my iPad.

If of any interest this is what the acceptance email looks like - it went through to junk folder btw. Remember this is quite strict as it's International.

"Your application to enter South Australia has been assessed and approved in accordance with the South Australian Emergency Management (Arrivals) (COVID-19) Direction 2021.

While in South Australia, you must adhere to the following Level 5 arrival conditions:

• Be able to produce evidence of a negative COVID-19 test (PCR) taken within the preceding 72 hours of your arrival into SA. This COVID-19 test must be taken by an appropriately trained and qualified health care worker.
• You must quarantine at your approved address for 7 days using HealthCheck SA. You must be able to quarantine alone or all other people in your household must also quarantine with you.
• You must monitor and record any COVID-19 symptoms via the HealthCheck SA app for first 14 days after your arrival to SA.
• HealthCheck SA will be available on the Australian app stores from 23rd November ; you do not need to download HealthCheck SA before you travel.On the day of your arrival you must self arrive and we will send you a code to activate the app.â€
• If you are older than 12 years and 2 months of age, you must be able to produce evidence of having completed a course of a COVID-19 vaccine approved or recognised by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
• You must submit to a COVID-19 test (PCR) within 24 hours of arrival in SA. You are also required to submit to a COVID test (PCR) on days 6 and 13 after arrival.
• You must not attend any event with an approved COVID Management Plan, or at which more than 1000 people are present, for 14 days after arrival.
• You must not enter or remain in a high risk setting in South Australia for 14 days after arrival.
• You must check-in at businesses, venues and events using COVID SAfe Check-In. More information on how to download the mySA GOV app can be found at www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/restrictions-and-responsibilities/covid-safe-check-in

This approval and above entry conditions are based on the Emergency Management (Arrivals) (COVID-19) Direction 2021 and Associated Direction current at the time of application.

If you wish to apply for an exemption from your entry conditions, complete an exemption application at this link.

This approval is valid for a single entry up to and including 03 Dec 2021 only, subsequent travel will require a separate application.

On the day of your expected arrival, you will receive an email asking you to click on a link to confirm your arrival in SA. Please ensure you do this to declare you have arrived in SA.

Please refer to www.covid-19.sa.gov.au for updated information relating to SA border restrictions prior to your date of arrival as restrictions may affect your travel.

Please ensure you have photo ID, evidence of your vaccination status and a copy of this email while in SA. You will need this for verification purposes if you are stopped by SA Police during your travel in SA.

Thank you for helping keep SA COVID safe."

 

[Kangol]

Thanks Pushka, very helpful.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Dunno why you'd even bother. Spend 2 weeks in NSW/VIC and enjoy freedom!

 

[Pushka]

Dunno why you'd even bother. Spend 2 weeks in NSW/VIC and enjoy freedom!

Yep. Unless you just want to get home. Just seven OS is all it asked.

Significant hints today it will all be open at Christmas as we hit 90%. I think CHO is taking a break and Marshall more of a lead.