South Australia will continue to take a tough stance on people returning from Sydney despite emerging from its COVID-19 lockdown and reporting no new virus infections for the second day in a row.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Premier Steven Marshall says his "heart goes out" to NSW with another 177 cases revealed on Wednesday.
He said the state government was also mindful there are South Australians anxious to get home following the decision to close the border to everyone except essential travellers and those granted a special exemption.
"We've got to take a pretty tough stance on this one. Some of the stories are heartbreaking and I acknowledge that," he said.
"But at the moment we've got to be very careful when we bring anybody back in from NSW."
Mr Marshall said SA would look at every case on an individual basis, with people wanting to return from holidays and others wanting to permanently relocate.
"Not everybody is going to get a yes and there will certainly be some very strong conditions on any exemptions that are granted at the moment," he said.
With no new cases in SA on Wednesday, the so-called Modbury cluster stands at 19 confirmed infections, with 11 of those linked to the Tenafeate Creek winery near One Tree Hill.
It began with an 81-year-old man who recently arrived in Australia from Argentina and was quarantined in Sydney before travelling to Adelaide, where he tested positive.
Mr Marshall said the result was great news and puts SA in an enviable position as people go back to work and back to school.
"The people of South Australia should be able to feel a great sense of pride over what we have achieved of the past seven days," he said.
"But we're not out of the woods yet. We still have a large number of people (about 5000) in directed quarantine."
The premier confirmed a range of new restrictions will stay in place for at least a week including the "new normal" of wearing masks in most situations.
All food and drink consumption must be seated and dancing and singing remain banned.
Family gatherings are limited to 10 people, although weddings and funerals can have up to 50.
Schools are open and sports training can resume, but competitions will be delayed until August 7.
Business SA said with the end of the lockdown, local traders would look to rebuild again.
Despite the loss of revenue over the past seven days, chief executive Martin Haese said it was clear the short, sharp shutdown had saved SA from "a world of pain like we are seeing in New South Wales".
Australian Associated Press
