Australian Reports of the Virus Spread

[jase05]

Tas Premier just announced quarantine required for all SA arrivals from today, and recent ( past week) arrivals asked to self isolate and to contact health dept. 900 people.

SA still being classed as low risk BUT there will be an update this afternoon and passengers on direct flight from Adelaide this afternoon being warned to defer travel

And the NT has just done similar

 

[Pushka]

Tas Premier just announced recent ( past week) arrivals asked to self isolate and to contact health dept. 900 people.

SA still being classed as low risk BUT there will be an update this afternoon and passengers on direct flight from Adelaide this afternoon being warned to defer travel

Border now shut. Perfectly understandable. Along with NT.

 

[RooFlyer]

Border now shut.

Not quite yet. This afternoons flight arrivals will have additional questions as to their precise moments.

The recent arrivals quarantine is voluntary. Authorities have their contact details so will be talking to each.

But SA status might be reassessed later today.

So it’s precautionary stage, pending decision later today. Prospective arrivals this afternoon have been warned. I think a better way than the WA closing without warning.

 

[Lynda2475]

I had a very busy day yesterday and didnt have time to read the paper or watch the news. When I was heading out about 5:30pm for my evening walk, I saw Pushka's post about the SA cases (no real details at that stage) and immediately my heart sank, I was terribly worried that the blame would fall on NSW residents visiting SA.

I was very relieved to hear the leading theory is Quarantine breach. Now its shocking that SA Health havent been testing medi-hotel workers weekly (that ought to be a a non brainer, especially since they were forcing border bubble residents to get weekly tests) and that yet again we see rapid spread through a large family. The covid safe message cearly isnt gettign through to this cohort. Irrespective of whether there have been recent cases in your area the onus is on everyone to follow the rules, its simply not necessary to be inviting large groups of extended family into your home which is the most common transmission point, especially when members of your family are working in high risk sites. If you must have a large gathering do it ourtside in a park and keep seated at a table of your own household.

I believe states who relied on hard borders for extended periods (or still are) like WA, SA and Qld are in a precarious position because they had an artificial sense of safety and prematurely relaxed many of the Covi-Normal rules re physcial distancing and indoor occupancy too early and were not enforcing collection of digital sign-in information. Friends living in Brisbane say they havent been asked to use a QR code anywhere, whereas its been the norm in my inner Sydney location since May. When they get the first significant breach as Adelaide now has, its the first time their systems have been pressure tested under the scrutiny of the media, lets hope they have their procedures down, and their residents revert to respecting the required covid safe distancing, hand washing, socliasing guidelines.

For those suggesting qurantine is moved away from Capital cities, consider that the bulk of overseas arrivals in SYD, ADL, BNE and PER are all on commercial flights, there hasnt been a government sponsored repatriation flight into Sydney for months. Given the low passenger loads allowed, airlines need to deliver significant freight to keep flying, so they wont want to be flying into Christmas Island (or even HBA or DRW), let alone small regional airports which likely dont have long enough runways (or the right type of stairs etc). So even if the quarantine facilties are moved out of CBD hotels to some regional facility, there will still be a risk of exposure at the airport and for whomever is transporting these arrivals the long distances to the non cbd quarantine facility.

DRW is being used for the bulk of the govt sponored repatriation flights because Howards Springs is a short commute from DRW, and it is low season so DRW isnt busy with with tourists. And the NT govt also sees an opportunity to make some $ in low season.

It is interesting coincidence is that the SMH/Age retired their daly live corona virus blog yesterday just as the SA community tranmission was escalating, the last time they tried to do this, they had to reinstates due to the 2nd wave in Victoria.

I'm watching with great intertest what the reactions of other states will be, particularly to see if there is any consistency wrt Qld. Qld curretly remains open to regional NSW even thought Wingecarribee LGA (regional home of Moss Vale) is the last known site of mystery case in NSW, yet closed to majority of greater Sydney LGAs who have had zero loal cases (let alone mystery cases) for months. NSW hasnt had 17 local cases in a day since the Thai Rock, SA need to move fast.

 

[jakeseven7]

Given the suspected index case was undiagnosed, the contact list will be huge and I'm suprised we haven't heard more about what rings of isolation they are laying down on contacts yet.

There is probably a case here for Adelaide to immediately lock down for 2 weeks to slam a lid on this. Right now.

It's already out of the blocks away in numbers that are much higher than all of NSW's latest outbreaks and in a state that is not used to dealing with this, from all angles - community, health systems etc.

 

[trevella]

I'm suprised we haven't heard more about what rings of isolation they are laying down on contacts yet

Right, it's almost been 24 hours. TELL US TELL US TELL US TELL US

Or maybe just keep addressing the problem at hand. Better that they've already found 17 cases than not.

 

[Pushka]

Given the suspected index case was undiagnosed, the contact list will be huge and I'm suprised we haven't heard more about what rings of isolation they are laying down on contacts yet.

There is probably a case here for Adelaide to immediately lock down for 2 weeks to slam a lid on this. Right now.

It's already out of the blocks away in numbers that are much higher than all of NSW's latest outbreaks and in a state that is not used to dealing with this, from all angles - community, health systems etc.

I know they have isolated the hospital workers and patients on the first person - 90 from memory. Closed the shopping centre and told people who visited at a certain time and staff to test and isolate. Closed two schools. Likely closed off the nursing home (staff positive) and the testing stations across Adelaide have been totally swamped all over the city. The area concerned is concentrated in the northern part of Adelaide except for the Hungry Jacks area.
Speaking from afar to people grocery shopping this morning, people are angry at how it has happened.

 

[jakeseven7]

In some better news, NT fully open to VIC from November 30.

So we are just waiting for QLD and WA to announce for VIC. All other states have confirmed opening days.


Breaking: NT opens borders to VIC from November 30

Travel plans thrown into chaos as SA cases increase

Adelaide's COVID-19 cluster throws travel plans into disarray, with The Ghan ordered to return to the SA capital after its 221 passengers were denied permission to disembark in Alice Springs.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Lynda2475]

From ABC News site:

NT:

NT Chief Minister Mr Gunner said: "We expected that Melbourne to be the last domestic border to come down after being put in eight months ago. Sadly, that is now not the case."

"From Monday, 30th November, in two weeks' time, greater Melbourne will no longer be considered a hotspot for the purposes of travel to the Northern Territory.

"So we can get on the beers again with our Melbourne mates. Like we have in the past, we are announcing a date well in advance to give us a time we need to be extra sure and extra safe. Waiting another 14 days gives us two full replication cycles of data to be absolutely confident. This is happening much sooner than many of us expected. You think back to a few months ago. Very few were predicting that Melbourne would become so safe so quickly. So this is some welcome news."

Tas:

"So, firstly, to anyone who has arrived in Tasmania from South Australia since last Monday 9th November, we would like you today to immediately self-isolate.

"If you are in a home residence to isolate there. If you are staying in accommodation, to go back to your hotel room and isolate there as well.

"In terms of travellers from interstate, we are contacting them proactively as well through the Tassie travel app and we will be sending a similar message to them, in terms of these arrangements.


"For those that would enter the state directly today from South Australia or on the Spirit of Tasmania early tomorrow morning and anyone else who has spent time in South Australia since Monday, we will expect you to quarantine on your arrival today."

 

[jakeseven7]

 

[Lynda2475]

From ABC News:

NSW decides to keep its border open to South Australia

New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian says: "We need to learn to live with COVID. You can't shut down border and disrupt lives every time there is an outbreak and disrupt businesses. We need to have confidence, not just in our own system, but the system in other states to be able to get on top of the virus."

 

[Carrots]

From ABC News:

NSW decides to keep its border open to South Australia

New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian says: "We need to learn to live with COVID. You can't shut down border and disrupt lives every time there is an outbreak and disrupt businesses. We need to have confidence, not just in our own system, but the system in other states to be able to get on top of the virus."

My god, a poli with common sense statement!

 

[Lynda2475]

And as expected:

Queensland Premier tweeted: “Anyone about to leave Adelaide should be advised we are assessing the COVID-19 outbreak and may place restrictions on travel, including mandatory quarantine on arrivals,”.

A formal decision is expected on the borders by lunchtime.

 

[Must...Fly!]

And as expected:

Queensland Premier tweeted: “Anyone about to leave Adelaide should be advised we are assessing the COVID-19 outbreak and may place restrictions on travel, including mandatory quarantine on arrivals,”.

A formal decision is expected on the borders by lunchtime.

I shouldn't laugh but if I don't I will probably cry...we are stuffed as a country. It's like July all over again, months later. We learn nothing in this country.

 

[jase05]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1328133577830109184

 

[Lynda2475]

From News.com.au:

Latest warnings for South Australians

SA Health has issued a lengthy coronavirus health alert as the state's contact tracers rapidly identify places of concern.

The immediate isolation order remains in place for everyone who was in the Emergency Department at Lyell McEwin Hospital between 5:30pm Friday 13 November and 4:00am Saturday 14 November.

Anyone who was in the emergency department at the time and are still waiting on a call from SA Health is still required to self-quarantine immediately.

ADVICE:
If you visited any of the below locations duration the listed times, you do not need to self-quarantine but you should monitor for symptoms and get tested immediately if symptoms appear:
Bus 500 from Salisbury Bus Interchange:
• Friday 13 November 6.30am – 7.40am
• Thursday 12 November 6.30am – 7.40am
• Wednesday 11 November 6.30am – 7.40am
• Tuesday 10 November 6.30am – 7.40am
• Monday 9 November 6.30am – 7.40am
Bus 502 from Internode Adelaide bus stop on Grenfell Street
• Friday 13 November 4.15pm – 5.30pm
• Thursday 12 November 4.30pm – 5.30pm
• Monday 9 November 10.30am – 11.30am
Bus (GA1/GA2/GA3) from bus stop near train station
• Tuesday 10 November 5.30pm – 6.30pm
• Saturday 7 November 5.30pm – 6.30pm
Bus 411 from Salisbury Bus Interchange
• Monday 9 November 11.30am – 11.45am
Salisbury Bus Interchange
• Monday 9 November 11.30am – 12.00pm
Elizabeth Shopping Centre
• Sunday 8 November 11.00am – 12.30pm
Harris Scarf, Elizabeth Shopping Centre
• Sunday 8 November 11.00am – 12.30pm
Hollywood Plaza Surgery
• Saturday 14 November 10.00am – 11.00am
• Friday 13 November 7.15am – 7.20am
Woolworths, Hollywood Plaza
• Saturday 14 November 10.00am – 11.00am
• Friday 13 November 10.00am – 12.00pm
The Aquadome,1 Crockerton Rd Elizabeth
• Saturday 14 November 11.00am – 1.30pm
Hungry Jacks, 321 Commercial Rd Port Adelaide
• Saturday 14 November 12.00am – 2.30am
• Friday 13 November 7.30pm – 12.00am
Mantra on Frome
• Friday 13 November 7.40am – 3.45pm
• Thursday 12 November 7.30am – 4.00pm
Fruit Barn Fruit Shop, Salisbury
• Friday 13 November 10.00am – 10.15pm
Ekam Indian Groceries, Enfield Plaza
• Friday 13 November 1.30pm – 4.30pm
Parafield Plaza Supermarket
• Thursday 12 November 10.30am – 11.30am

 

[Pushka]

I shouldn't laugh but if I don't I will probably cry...we are stuffed as a country. It's like July all over again, months later. We learn nothing in this country.

Happy 100th birthday Qantas.

 

[blackcat20]

Sounds like VIC has declared ADL a hotspot, testing required on arrival.

Victoria will join other states in declaring South Australia a hot spot but will not move to close the border, Premier Daniel Andrews says.

He said people travelling by plane from South Australia into Melbourne would need to be questioned by health officials upon arrival.

"Rapid testing may be a feature of that," he said. "We don't want to take any chances at all."

Mr Andrews said he had little appetite for closing the border to South Australia. "I'm looking to get these borders open," he said.

 

[drron]

And as expected:

Queensland Premier tweeted: “Anyone about to leave Adelaide should be advised we are assessing the COVID-19 outbreak and may place restrictions on travel, including mandatory quarantine on arrivals,”.

A formal decision is expected on the borders by lunchtime.

What! A decision in hours not a whole month.What is QLD coming too.

Of course it really is a QLD specialty to make ludicrous decisions.Take this news yesterday.

Channel Nine stand off with Queensland government could deny Ray Warren swansong Origin call | Sporting News Australia

Footy fans may have heard the last of Ray 'Rabs' Warren with Queensland health authorities denying Channel Nine's bid to fly their Origin commentary into Brisbane for next week's series decider.

www.sportingnews.com

Dr.Young strikes again.Happy to let US movie and television crews into QLD without quarantine

Qld screen industry on a roll with three US TV shows about to start filming

The productions, one starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, will contribute $143 million to the state's economy.

www.brisbanetimes.com.au

Or 2 workers from Victoria in August coming to Townsville to build a boxing ring without a need to quarantine.

Border outrage: Exemption to build boxing ring - Australian Online News

Our border controls need to be consistent and compassionate. 🚧 At the same time that mums aren't being allowed into Queensland to visit their hospitalised newborns, we have the Palaszczuk Government giving the green light to two men from Victoria who were allowed into Townsville to assemble a...

australianonlinenews.com.au

 

[Lynda2475]

From ABC News:

Victoria declares Adelaide a hotspot

Just three days after South Australia announced it would reopen its border with Victoria, the shoe is on the other foot again with Victoria declaring Adelaide a hotspot.

Premier Dan Andrews confirmed any South Australians arriving into Melbourne Airport would be interviewed and may be required to undergo a coronavirus test.

Mr Andrews stopped short of banning South Australians from the state or ordering them into quarantine for two weeks.

The Northern Territory, Tasmania and Western Australia all reintroduced mandated two week quarantine for South Australian arrivals.
Queensland is expected to follow suit.

NSW is keeping its border open and ACT has put South Australia "on notice".