At the stroke of midnight, South Australia’s border opened and, by yesterday afternoon, more than 29,000 applications to enter the state had been submitted.
Of those, more than 15,000 applications were from people assessed as coming from “low-risk” and “very low-risk” local government areas (LGAs) across Australia.
So, what is the process to enter?
If you want to enter South Australia, you will need to use the new EntryCheck SA website to find out the restrictions that apply to you and to complete an application.
To do so, the website will ask you to create a mySA GOV account, which will require you to provide personal information, including your date of birth, address and Medicare card details.
You will also need to upload evidence of your COVID-19 vaccination and provide the details of where you have spent most of your time while outside of the state.
It will also ask for proof that you and your dependents have been fully vaccinated, with children under 12 years of age to be treated as if they were vaccinated.
This proof can come through a certificate that can be connected from the Express Plus Medicare or federal myGov apps.
You may also need an international vaccine certificate if you have been overseas.
How do I find out my LGA’s risk level?
You can find out the level of risk for interstate LGAs on the SA Health website.
The risk level is assessed using the vaccination rates in each area and if they currently have community transmission.
According to SA Health, the information will be updated weekly, “based on Australian Government vaccination data, and additional public health information, taking into account variations in data”.
When should I submit my application?
You can complete the application up to 14 days ahead of your planned travel to South Australia.
SA Health recommends you have it completed at least 72 hours before you plan to arrive in the state.
What if I’m not vaccinated?
Unvaccinated people wanting to travel to South Australia can still apply using the EntryCheck SA website.
The SA Health website states:
“Unvaccinated people planning to travel to South Australia must apply for an exemption to travel. Applications for an exemption from entry conditions are an extension of EntryCheck SA and can be made at the end of that application.”
What if EntryCheck SA website isn’t working?
The EntryCheck SA website has had multiple outages since it was launched on Friday evening.
Yesterday, South Australia’s Premier Steven Marshall apologised for the site being out of action for nearly an hour.
“Apologies for that portal being down today but it is up and running now,” Mr Marshall said.
“The development of software like this would usually be a six- or a 12-month arrangement, especially one that was going to be under such a heavy use.”
Late yesterday, a state government spokesperson said there had been a lot of traffic to the website.
“Since launching, the platform has seen significant demand, and has been scaled-up to meet [that demand],” the spokesperson said.
“Support teams are constantly monitoring the platform to ensure returning South Australians and travellers coming to our state are able to process their application smoothly.”
What if I’m just leaving the state for the weekend?
South Australian residents who are vaccinated and only leaving the state for 72 hours or less are not required to test prior to their arrival back in South Australia.
I’ve submitted my application, what now?
Once the forms are completed, you will get an email telling you what your requirements are to enter South Australia.
Depending on where you have been, you will be sent an email and text message with a link to download the HealthCheck SA app, but only on the day you are planning to enter South Australia.
Below are the conditions of entry, according to risk level.
Vaccinated arrivals | |
|---|---|
Risk level | Arrival entry conditions |
Very low risk No evidence of COVID-19 community transmission | No entry conditions other than vaccination |
Low risk Evidence of COVID-19 community transmission Population rate of full dose vaccination 90% or higher | COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival in South Australia Daily symptom check for 14 days after arrival, using HealthCheck SA |
Moderate risk Evidence of COVID-19 community transmission Population rate of full dose vaccination 80% or higher | COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival in South Australia COVID-19 test within 24 hours of arrival in SA Quarantine until test taken Daily symptom check for 14 days after arrival, using HealthCheck SA |
High risk and international Evidence of COVID-19 community transmission Population rate of full dose vaccination 80% or lower | Negative COVID-19 test result received in 72 hours prior to arrival in South Australia Quarantine for seven days, using HealthCheck SA COVID-19 test within 24 hours of arrival in South Australia COVID-19 test again on days six and 13 Daily symptom check for 14 days after arrival, using HealthCheck SA No entry to high-risk settings for 14 days after arrival No entry to COVID Management Plan events for 14 days after arrival |
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