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Covid-19 SA Travel Guide

Current restrictions in south australia.

South Australia is now officially open to all visitors, both from interstate and overseas. Below we have summarised what you can expect upon arrival to South Australia, but for any information on restrictions, testing and vaccination requirements we ask that you refer to the SA Health COVID-19 page . This is the official and trusted South Australian government source of all COVID-19 travel information. 

What do I need to know about travelling to South Australia from overseas?

International visitors are welcome to travel to South Australia. While travel may not look the same after the pandemic, the South Australian government has endeavoured to make it as safe as possible for both locals and visitors alike. 

All visa holders from Europe, including visitors to South Australia from Germany and the UK, can travel to Australia. All information about coming to Australia, including what you need to do before you travel, current restrictions and exemptions and applying for visas can be found at the home affairs government portal - Coming To Australia . 

*Please note this information was last updated September, 2022. 

All information about coming to Australia, including what you need to do before you travel, current restrictions and exemptions and applying for visas can be found at the home affairs government portal - Coming To Australia . Further information about travelling to New Zealand, or returning to New Zealand from South Australia can be found at the official New Zealand COVID-19 government website . Visiting South Australia from New Zealand? check out our New Zealand page. 

All visa holders from South East Asia, including visitors from Singapore, can travel to Australia. All information about coming to Australia, including what you need to do before you travel, current restrictions and exemptions and applying for visas can be found at the home affairs government portal - Coming To Australia . 

All visa holders from the United States of America can travel to Australia. All information about coming to Australia, including what you need to do before you travel, current restrictions and exemptions and applying for visas can be found at the home affairs government portal - Coming To Australia . Visiting us from the US? Check out our US guide to the artisan South Australia . 

Life in South Australia may look a little different from when you last visited us, or if you haven't visited us, a little different to your home country. South Australia is a very safe place to travel to, with over 90% of people aged 12 years and over double vaccinated against COVID-19. Case numbers remain relatively low compared to other major cities in Australia and overseas, and as such we have been able to maintain a great quality of life.

South Australia remained essentially COVID-19 free, or what we call "COVID zero" until late 2021. Once the majority of our population was vaccinated, we opened our borders to the rest of Australia - allowing COVID-19 into the community. Naturally case numbers began to rise in early 2022 and we adjusted our way of life accordingly, but in reality it was meeting the "new normal" that many people globally have come to expect.

  • We wash our hands regularly and expect you to use the hand sanitizer provided at the front of all shops, restaurants, bars and hotels
  • We encourage social distancing

For information on hand hygiene, click here . For all other information on COVID-19, please refer to the official South Australian health body, SA Health . 

Please visit the SA Health COVID-19 restrictions page and the Australian Department of Home Affairs travel restrictions and exemptions page for up to date information.

COVID-19 safe travel ideas in South Australia

There are plenty of ways to beat the crowds and travel safely in south australia. south australia is one of the few places left in the world that you can have pristine beaches all to yourself, spaced out camp sites and truly retreat into nature. we have many certified guides and tour operators who are taking extra precautions against the spread of covid-19. we encourage you to always remain covid-19 safe while travelling by socially distancing and practicing good hygiene..

Sheringabeach Eyrepeninsula 1920X800

South Australia's road trips

Road trip to or around south australia and explore our great state with one of our six iconic routes - or mix and match our curated guides to build your own journey. start your adelaide to darwin road trip via the explorers way, drive from perth to adelaide along the seafood frontier, or road trip from adelaide through south australia's famed wine regions. there's a path for everyone..

travel restrictions south australia

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Travel restrictions for fruit and vegetables in South Australia

South Australia has restrictions on what fruit, vegetables, plants and plant products can be brought into the state and Riverland.

Plan your travel to avoid a fine

Avoid any unnecessary fines by checking the travel restrictions for fruit and vegetables before travelling.

You'll be fined if you're caught with restricted fruit and vegetables at the Yamba quarantine station or random roadblocks.

Travelling to South Australia

Understand what fruit and vegetables you can and can’t bring into South Australia from your state.

Travelling to the Riverland

Understand what fruit and vegetables you can and can’t bring into the Riverland from within South Australia. You can no longer bring a receipt for fruit and vegetables at risk from fruit fly.

Disposing of restricted fruit and vegetables

You must dispose of restricted fruit, vegetables, plants and plant products in quarantine bins.

Find a quarantine station or bin

Check the bin and quarantine station map to find locations on your route.

Travellers quarantine resource kit

Download ready-made resources for travellers on quarantine information in South Australia .

Smiley face

Check if you're travelling in fruit fly outbreak areas

Fruit fly outbreaks and restrictions are in place across South Australia. Check the outbreak map to see if you’re travelling in these areas and understand the restrictions.

Call the Fruit Fly Hotline

Report suspected fruit fly or get answers to your fruit fly questions. The hotline is open 24 hours.

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travel restrictions south australia

Borders to open – South Australia's COVID-Ready Plan

travel restrictions south australia

A plan to reopen our state and ease restrictions has been released – with 23 November set for when South Australia will open borders to fully-vaccinated people from all Australian states and territories.

It is the date SA is expected to reach the national vaccination target of 80 per cent and comes earlier than initially expected. As one of the first ‘COVID-free’ states to open to fully-vaccinated travellers in NSW and Victoria – our state’s key domestic markets – this is an opportunity for our industry.

At 23 November, SA’s COVID-Ready Plan also outlines that quarantine for vaccinated international arrivals will drop from 14 days to 7 days.

Restrictions will also ease, including the relaxation of caps on home gatherings and private activity.

When vaccination rates hit 90 per cent (of people aged 12 years and over), SA's borders will open to fully vaccinated international travellers, without the need for quarantine. While no date has been pegged for this, it is expected that this will be reached by the end of the year.

At that time, restrictions on most activities will be lifted – with high-risk activities such as nightclubs and standing alcohol consumption – available for the fully-vaccinated only.

travel restrictions south australia

The SATC has been increasing our marketing activity into the Eastern states as our state has worked to ramp up vaccination levels, and we will be doubling down on our efforts to get visitors booking trips over the coming weeks.

With Christmas, the peak summer tourism period and our festival season not too far around the corner – the reopening to domestic tourism is a real opportunity for our state and one that we will take full advantage of.

I know this news will be welcomed by many operators keen to see the return of interstate travel – we’ve been working hard to keep South Australia top of mind for those people looking for a holiday, so it is terrific we have a pathway forward as we head into the valuable summer holiday period.

For details of the COVID-Ready Plan, see covid-19.sa.gov.au/response .

I will continue to keep you updated.

Rodney Harrex Chief Executive

View the Industry Update – 26 October 2021 .

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  • Travelling to South Australia

Travelling with fruit and vegetables to South Australia from interstate

Understand how to plan your travel into South Australia including what fruit and vegetables are restricted from your state.

Check your food and plants

Some fruit, vegetables, plants and plant products cannot be brought into South Australia.

I'm travelling from:

New south wales.

Can I bring these items into South Australia from New South Wales?

Call the Fruit Fly Hotline on  1300 666 010 . Select option 2 for movement of all plant material into SA.

Fruits, vegetables and nuts

Plant items, northern territory.

Can I bring these items into South Australia from Northern Territory?

Can I bring these items into South Australia from Queensland?

Can I bring these items into South Australia from Tasmania?

You must follow the rules for any state you have travelled through before entering South Australia. For example, if you travelled from Tasmania via Victoria, the rules apply for both Victoria and Tasmania when entering South Australia, meaning restricted fruit cannot enter SA.

Can I bring these items into South Australia from Victoria?

Western Australia

Can I bring these items into South Australia from Western Australia?

Dispose of fruit and vegetables at quarantine locations

You must eat or  dispose of your fruit and vegetables at risk from fruit fly before you get to the Riverland.

Check the  disposal bin and quarantine station map to find locations on your travel route.

Restrictions for all Australian states and territories

  • Restriction details for all Australian states and territories
  • Restrictions when travelling into Australia from overseas

Smiley face

Check if you're travelling in fruit fly outbreak areas

Fruit fly outbreaks and restrictions are in place across South Australia. Check the outbreak map to see if you’re travelling in these areas and understand the restrictions.

Call the Fruit Fly Hotline

Report suspected fruit fly or get answers to your fruit fly questions. The hotline is open 24 hours.

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travel restrictions south australia

Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care

COVID-19 and travel

Find out about travel requirements and steps you can take to stay safe.

Domestic travel within Australia

Domestic travel requirements are determined by state and territory governments. Check the websites of local health departments for information about travel to:

  • Australian Capital Territory
  • New South Wales
  • Northern Territory
  • South Australia
  • Western Australia .

Travelling overseas

The Australian Government does not currently have any COVID-19 requirements in place for travellers entering and departing Australia.

COVID-19 however continues to pose a health risk in Australia and overseas. We strongly encourage wearing masks and being vaccinated while travelling internationally. You should practice good cough and hand hygiene, and physically distance from others where possible.

Some countries, airlines and vessel operators may have COVID-19 travel requirements in place. Check the requirements of any:

  • countries you are travelling to, or transiting through
  • airlines or vessel operators.
  • Smartraveller website
  • Australian Government – international travel information .

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is important if you become sick with COVID-19 overseas. Make sure your insurance includes:

  • transit destinations
  • inclusions for COVID-19
  • other add-ons like cruise specific insurance.

Some destinations also require travellers to hold travel insurance as a condition of entry.

Cruise travel

Check with your cruise provider or travel agent for up-to-date travel requirements for your ship and destination/s. You can also contact the relevant state or territory government to find out if any requirements apply for your destination.

Outbreaks onboard a cruise

Cruise ships carry a higher risk for spreading disease compared to other types of travel. COVID-19, influenza, and other infectious diseases spread easily between people living and socialising in close quarters.

If an outbreak of COVID-19 occurs on your cruise, you may need to:

  • quarantine on the ship
  • disembark and follow the local rules in the state or territory or country you are in.

Before you travel, check the  Smartraveller advice on cruises . Contact your travel agent or cruise operator for specific information on their COVID-19 safety protocols.

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If you develop symptoms such as severe shortness of breath or chest pain, call triple zero (000) immediately. Tell the phone operator and the paramedics on arrival if you have COVID-19.

How to avoid catching COVID-19 including getting vaccinated, wearing masks and physical distancing.

Does Australia have COVID-19 travel restrictions?

Travelling to australia.

People travelling to Australia no longer need to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result.

Some countries, airlines and ships may have their own testing, vaccination and face-mask rules. You should check with them before travelling.

During your travel to Australia, you’re encouraged to wear a face mask to reduce your risk of getting and spreading COVID-19.

For more information, visit the Department of Home Affairs website.

Travelling interstate

You can freely travel within and between Australia’s states and territories. However, some remote communities may restrict who can enter and leave them.

Learn more about travelling in Australia:

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Check before you pack and go

While the rules are relaxing for people moving around Australia between different states and territories in relation to COVID-19, the rules remain for the movement of plants and plant products between states and territories to prevent the movement of pests and diseases.

“Just be aware that if you take fruit and veggies with you, you may need to surrender it in amnesty bins at or before the checkpoints,” warned Rod.

“In particular, South Australia still has zero-tolerance for people turning up at the border carrying fruit and veg and you will be fined if you are carrying anything you shouldn’t be.”

“If you are self-catering or camping, you might be tempted to pack all your food before you go. But remember not to pack fruit and veg in your car or caravan if you know you will soon need to cross a state border. You may be disappointed if you have to surrender it because it’s banned.”

“Only buy what you need for the time you will be in the area, or that you know you will be able to take with you.”

It’s generally better to go shopping locally once you arrive at your destination. You’ll not only avoid a fine but also support local businesses in the Empty Esky campaign for to support bushfire recovery.

“Examples are the citrus red mite in NSW, phylloxera in parts of NSW and Victoria, and tomato potato psyllid near Perth, WA. Other offenders are Queensland fruit flies, present in the east coast states and NT, but not SA, WA or Tasmania, and Mediterranean fruit fly which is present only in WA.”

Other zones are ‘exclusion zones’ that are free from particular pests or diseases.

“Particular crops are grown in these areas and we want to keep pests and diseases out. Examples are the potato growing zones in NSW, Victoria and WA.”

So before you pack and get out and about this holiday season, make sure you check the Traveller’s Guide to see what you can and can’t safely take with you wherever you are going. Rules can change too, so check to make sure nothing has changed since you last looked.

Please pass on this important reminder to your interstate (and overseas) friends and family members.

More information

Download Australian Interstate Quarantine: A traveller’s guide

Alternatively, go to the map on the page and click on the name of the state or territory you wish to travel to (ie the text, not the map). A list of commodities will be displayed and the state or territory of origin. For example, no fresh fruit may be taken into South Australia from NSW, NT, Queensland, Victoria or WA.

More information about biosecurity zones is available on the Quarantine Zones page.

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Australia welcomes millions of overseas visitors each year. Anyone who is not an Australian citizen needs a valid visa to enter the country.

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Please visit the Department of Home Affairs website for more information.

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Travel within Australia and internationally to New Zealand is being affected by Covid lockdowns and restrictions. What are the current border closures, and can you travel to Qld, Victoria, NSW or does any state have a travel bubble with NZ right now? Check our guide

Covid border restrictions across Australia: where you can and can’t travel between states – and to New Zealand

Planning a trip across state borders or a weekend away? Is the border between Victoria and NSW closed? Can you travel into or out of Sydney, from NSW to Qld, or to Victoria, SA, WA, NT or NZ? Before you leave home, check our state-by-state guide to coronavirus travel restrictions.

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The latest Covid outbreak in Australia has once again resulted in state border closures, restrictions and cancelled plans.

State and territory health authorities are monitoring the cases and the situation is changing daily. Here is a state-by-state breakdown of where you can and can’t travel and what you need to do before you leave home.

NSW border restrictions

Sydneysiders are unable to travel to regional NSW. That remains the case until at least 28 August.

People are barred from leaving the city, except for essential purposes, subject to the lockdown rules, and no one is allowed to travel in to greater Sydney without a reasonable excuse.

Interstate arrivals to NSW from Queensland, South Australia, the ACT and Victoria, including people who have been in those states for any time during the previous 14 days, need to complete a travel declaration upon entry.

Anyone who has been to a venue of high concern ( listed here ) must follow testing and self isolation requirements .

Victoria border restrictions

Victoria has tightened its border with NSW. From 11.59pm on Thursday 2 September, six Victorian and two NSW local government areas will be taken out of the state’s border bubble. Residents from Greater Bendigo, Greater Shepparton, City of Benalla, Buloke, Loddon, Yarriambiack, Broken Hill and Edward River will be unable to cross state lines on a permit.

All travellers from anywhere in Australia must apply for a permit to enter Victoria. People living in the SA border bubble region do not require a permit.

The rules on entering Victoria from the border bubble area of NSW tightened from 6pm on 13 August. People on the NSW side of the border bubble will require a permit to travel to the Victorian side of the bubble if they are over 18 years of age. Travel will only be granted for permitted reasons, which are: to obtain necessary goods or services, including medical care and getting a Covid-19 test; for care and compassion reasons; for education including childcare; for getting a Covid vaccination; and for sport and exercise at a sporting club, including alpine resorts.

People under 18 are allowed to travel for the above reasons without a permit.

People from Victoria can also enter NSW for those reasons, but from 6pm on 13 August they will require a permit to return. In both cases people can only travel as far as is “reasonably necessary” into the other state.

Fines for travelling into Victoria without a permit, or in breach of the border bubble restrictions, are $5,452.

Travel from elsewhere in NSW to Victoria is not permitted, even for Victorian residents, unless you have been granted an exemption or are travelling on a specified worker permit or a transit permit. From 23 July, all of NSW has been labelled an “extreme risk zone”.

The ACT and the locked down areas of southeast Queensland , including Brisbane, are “red zones”. Victorian residents are able to return home from these areas but will be required to get a red zone permit and quarantine for 14 days. Non-Victorian residents are not eligible for a red zone permit. The rest of Queensland is a green zone.

South Australia is now classed as a green zone.

Queensland border restrictions

The Queensland government has extended border restrictions to all of NSW except for local government areas along the Queensland border.

Further, essential workers attempting to enter from NSW must have had at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine from Friday 20 August. This includes emergency and health authorities.

Victoria, the ACT and the greater Darwin and the Katherine region are also declared hotspot zones.

People who live in or have visited these areas are barred from entering the state, unless they are granted a special exemption.

If you are a Queensland resident returning from these areas, you will need to quarantine at a hotel for 14 days at your own expense.

If you are not a Queensland resident, and you have been to these areas, you need to apply for an exemption, and if that is granted, you will need to quarantine in a hotel for 14 days at your own expense.

From midday on 25 August, the Queensland government paused all arrivals from NSW, Victoria and ACT due to pressures on the state’s hotel quarantine system.

Everyone needs to complete a travel declaration form up to three days prior to arrival to enter the state.

No areas of the NT, South Australia, Tasmania or WA were declared Covid-19 hotspots by the Queensland government so travel is permitted, if a travel declaration form is signed.

NSW border zone residents can only cross into Queensland for a permitted purpose are also required to complete an entry pass.

Western Australia border restrictions

Western Australia now requires people who apply to travel into the state from a high risk state – anywhere with more than 50 cases a day – to have proof of at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine to be allowed into the state. People in high risk zones also have to have a PCR test completed 72 hours before travel.

From Tuesday 17 August, NSW will be elevated to ‘high risk’. People from NSW are only allowed to travel into WA if they have an exemption. From Thursday 26 August, NSW will be upgraded to ‘extreme risk’, meaning there will be very limited exemptions granted to return to the state, with compassionate grounds no longer accepted.

Exemptions will be available to government employees, members of parliament and diplomats. They will need to go into hotel quarantine for 14 days at their own expense, will need to have returned a negative test in the previous 72 hours prior to arrival, submit to three tests while in quarantine, and also have had at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine if eligible.

Victoria, the ACT and Queensland are classed as medium risk, meaning no one who has been in any of those states in the past 14 days is allowed to enter without an exemption. There is no vaccine requirement for medium risk states.

South Australia has been downgraded to low risk, meaning people from SA can enter WA if they have completed a border declaration and also go through 14 days quarantine and testing upon arrival.

Tasmania, the Northern Territory and New Zealand are deemed ‘very low risk’ by the WA government and do not have any quarantine requirements. Arrivals will still have to complete the mandatory G2G pass registration and declaration, as well as completing a health screening on arrival.

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Australian Capital Territory border restrictions

The ACT has tightened its border restrictions in response to the Covid situation interstate.

Non-ACT residents entering from locked down areas of Queensland, Victoria or NSW will not be allowed to enter unless they have an exemption, which will only be granted in exceptional circumstances.

Returning ACT residents will need to complete an online exemption form prior to their travel, and will still need to quarantine at home for 14 days.

All travellers who left Victoria after Thursday 5 August, 11.59pm, are subject to the stay-at-home order in place until Thursday 12 August, 11.59pm.

Anyone arriving from any state or territory must check the close contact and casual contact exposure locations ( listed here ). Anyone who has visited a close contact exposure location cannot enter the ACT without an exemption . Anyone who has visited a casual contact location must complete a self-declaration form , and isolate until a negative test result.

Travellers from all other states and jurisdictions can travel freely to the ACT.

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South Australia border restrictions

South Australia has closed its border with Victoria, NSW, the ACT and some parts of Queensland.

New rules for essential workers travelling to South Australia from high-risk states will be required to have had a least one Covid-19 vaccine. The new arrangement will target those people who arrive in SA for specific purposes and are allowed out of quarantine to conduct their work during the first 14 days. It will not apply to interstate transport workers who are allowed in according to a strict Covid-19 testing regime.

All arrivals from NSW, including returning South Australian residents, are not allowed to enter SA – unless they are an essential traveller or have an exemption. This excludes the LGA of Broken Hill.

All non-SA residents who have been in Victoria in the previous 14 days are barred from entering SA, excepting those in the 70km border buffer zone.

As of Sunday 8 August, 2.30pm, travellers who have visited Queensland in the previous 14 days are not permitted to enter. Those who have not been in Greater Brisbane, Cairns or Yarrabah LGAs in the past two weeks can enter until Monday 9 August, 11.59pm but must get a test within 24 hours and then quarantine until they receive a negative result, then get tested again on day 5 and 13.

Travellers from WA and the NT are allowed, but must have Covid tests on day 1, 5 and 13, and must self-quarantine until receiving their first negative result.

There are no restrictions on people from Tasmania.

Northern Territory border restrictions

A snap 72-hour lockdown has been announced for Darwin, Palmerston and the Katherine region after one COVID-19 case was confirmed overnight.

All interstate arrivals to the Northern Territory must fill in a border entry form .

Travellers who have been in a declared Covid-19 hotspot within the previous 14 days or attended a public exposure site cannot enter unless they have proof of residency, qualify for an automatic exemption or have received CHO approval. Transit through Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Cairns airports is still permitted.

Border restrictions have been lifted for the rest of Victoria and all of South Australia. But anyone who has been at a public exposure state in any other state must get a Covid-19 test and quarantine in a suitable place for 14 days.

Tasmania border restrictions

No one from NSW, the ACT or Victoria may enter Tasmania unless they have special permission from the deputy state controller.

No one who has been at a declared high risk premises during a public exposure period, in any state, is allowed to travel to Tasmania. This includes Tasmanian residents.

Tasmanian residents who have been in the locked down areas of Brisbane and south-east Queensland can apply for an essential traveller permit to return to Tasmania and complete 14-days quarantine on arrival.

People who have been in the following LGAs in the Northern Territory on or since 11pm 12 August 2021 are not able to enter Tasmania: City of Darwin; City of Palmerston; Litchfield Councill Wagait Shire; Belyuen Shire; Dundee; Bynoe; Charlotte; Cox Peninsula; Municipality of Katherine, including Tindal. Some exceptions apply for “essential travellers”.

Other than people who have been at high risk premises, Tasmania is open to travellers from South Australia, WA, parts of the NT, New Zealand, and parts of Queensland.

New Zealand travel bubble

The NZ government has announced it will stop quarantine-free travel with Australia for two months.

New Zealand had already paused the travel bubble with NSW and Victoria, but the new shut down applies to all of Australia for eight weeks from midnight Friday, 23 July.

Managed return flights from NSW are running from Monday 9 August through to Sunday 22 August, however registrations for these have closed.

Due to the unprecedented and ongoing nature of the coronavirus outbreak, this article is being regularly updated to ensure that it reflects the current situation at the date of publication. Any significant corrections made to this or previous versions of the article will be footnoted in line with Guardian editorial policy.

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SA borders to stay open despite Premier being 'extraordinarily concerned' about COVID-19 Omicron variant

South Australia's borders will remain open but all travellers from NSW, Victoria and the ACT will be required to have a test on arrival and isolate until a result is received. 

Key points:

  • South Australia's borders will remain open to all states
  • Travellers from NSW, Victoria and the ACT will have to get tested and isolate on arrival
  • Exposure sites have been added in Adelaide and Victor Harbor

They will need to have a further test on day six if they are still in the state.

They will not be able to visit high-risk settings such as aged care homes, disability care facilities and prisons.

"We remain extraordinarily concerned about the Omicron threat," SA Premier Steven Marshall said.

"This has nothing to do with the Delta variant."

There have been about 40 cases in SA since the borders reopened on November 23, including the state's first mystery infection reported yesterday . 

"That is in line with the forecast — the model that was presented — so this has nothing to do with Delta, it has everything to do with the Omicron variant," the Premier said.

Five new cases were reported on Saturday, including three locally acquired cases and two cases acquired interstate.

All of them have been linked to previous cases.

International arrivals into South Australia have had to quarantine for 14 days since concerns were first raised about the Omicron variant last weekend .

Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier said seven people who flew in on an international flight into Sydney may have been exposed to Omicron and then continued on to South Australia.

All but one of them had been contacted, she said.

Interstate arrivals will still have to have a COVID-19 test 72 hours before entering South Australia.

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Disagreement at committee meeting

Professor Spurrier would not say what advice she gave to the state's directions committee, which decides border restrictions.

However, Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said Professor Spurrier came to the meeting with a recommendation to close the state's borders but "there are a range of factors that have to be taken into account" and a consensus decision was made.

"The best course of action at this point in time, in the absence of more detailed information, is to enhance our testing and surveillance, which is what we're doing," he said.

He said "significant spread" of Omicron interstate would be the next trigger on tightening border restrictions.

The committee met on Friday and Saturday, and Mr Marshall said there would be "extraordinarily frequent directions meetings" over the next week or two.

He later tweeted that 90 per cent of South Australians aged 12 and over had received at least one COVID-19 vaccination dose.

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Queensland imposes quarantine requirements

Queensland declared Greater Adelaide a COVID-19 hotspot  this morning.

From Sunday morning, anyone arriving in Queensland from Adelaide will have to quarantine for 14 days.

"People are going into those communities in South Australia with the virus and consequently infecting other people who have every right to travel to South Australia and to come back here and are eligible to do so, but it has meant that the virus has come here earlier than we hoped," Queensland Health Minister Yvette D'ath said.

Country residents only stopping at Adelaide Airport will be able to enter Queensland without quarantining.

Western Australia limited travel from South Australia to returning residents on Thursday , while the Northern Territory increased testing requirements .

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More exposure sites announced

SA Health has added two close contact exposure sites — the Halfway Hotel in Beverley and the Hotel Crown in Victor Harbor.

On Friday night, it added three close contact exposure locations — cafes in Hyde Park and Victor Harbor and parts of the plane on a Qantas flight from Melbourne to Adelaide on Monday.

Lower risk exposure sites were also added in Fullarton, Semaphore, Wayville, Adelaide Airport, Hyde Park, Tea Tree Gully and the rest of the same Qantas flight. 

A COVID-19 case visited the Victor Harbor cafe — Nino's — last Sunday but the owners only found out it was an exposure site this morning after seeing it on social media.

Professor Spurrier said it could take some time to assess the risk posed at certain sites.

"To get the information that is more fulsome so that we're giving people the better advice about the quarantine time and who needs to quarantine, it does take that little bit longer to pull all of that information together," she said.

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You can find information on testing site hours and the nearest site to you on the SA Health website .

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Travel Insurance For South Africa: Everything You Need To Know

Updated: Apr 30, 2024, 1:13pm

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Do I Need Travel Insurance for South Africa?

What does travel insurance for south africa cover, frequently asked questions (faqs).

Tourism is on the rise in South Africa according to the local government , with more than four million tourists visiting the nation in the first half of 2023 alone. Australians form a sizable chunk of those numbers, with an estimated 125,000 Australians touring the country each year pre-pandemic.

With travel still high on the agenda for many Australians, that figure is expected to rise in the coming years.

If you’re considering a trip to South Africa, you’ll want to purchase travel insurance. Our guide explains everything you need to know.

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Including medical treatment, doctors’ visits, prescribed medication, specialist treatment & medical transport costs

$2,500 with option to increase to unlimited

Yes, Australians should purchase travel insurance for South Africa. While not a legal requirement to enter the country, it is highly recommended from the Australian government—especially for medical care.

The standard of medical facilities in South Africa can vary by region, but medical facilities are generally of a much lower standard than Australia. In fact, many regional hospitals only provide basic facilities, meaning you may have to be relocated in order to receive the right medical attention.

There is no shared healthcare agreement between Australia and South Africa, which makes travel insurance even more essential. If you need to be transferred by air evacuation to a major city in order to receive treatment, and you don’t have travel insurance, you’ll likely face a hefty bill out of your own pocket.

As Smartraveller advises all Australians, if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.

Vaccinations to Consider for Your Trip to South Africa

There is a high risk of certain diseases in South Africa, so it is worth making sure your vaccinations are up to date before you travel and taking any preventative measures with you, such as medications.

This can help reduce your chances of needing to seek medical attention.

There is a risk of Hepatitis A and B throughout South Africa, so vaccinations for Australian travellers are recommended. There is also a moderate risk for most travellers of typhoid, so a vaccination is also recommended if you are travelling to smaller cities, villages and rural areas.

Malaria is present throughout the country, so it could be a good idea to equip yourself with malaria tablets before you travel.

It is essential that you consult a medical practitioner regarding your need for vaccinations before you travel to South Africa, especially as some medical conditions can predispose travellers to certain infections.

When purchasing a travel insurance policy for South Africa, you will have the option to choose a basic policy or a comprehensive policy. A basic policy is cheaper , but may turn out to be more expensive in the long run if you aren’t covered for the things you need.

While a basic policy will usually cover medical needs, it may not provide cover for things such as lost luggage and cancellations (or, if it does, will provide it at a much lower claim level).

That’s why a comprehensive policy is highly recommended for travel to South Africa, as you will receive cover for stolen items, lost luggage, delays and more, in addition to medical and emergency dental care.

Smartraveller asks Australians to exercise a high degree of caution due to the threat of violent crime in South Africa, which includes robbery and carjacking.

The government website warns that opportunistic criminals will target travellers at the approaches to tourist-hotspot Kruger National Park, at well-known resorts, and on public transport.

Additionally, as ATM and credit card fraud are common crimes in South Africa, a comprehensive policy can be the more financially sound choice to give you peace of mind.

Going on a Safari?

South Africa is a popular tourist region for many reasons, including wildlife safaris. If you wish to partake in a safari or a game walk—walking with wild animals and a professional guide—you will need to ensure that these activities are covered in your policy’s list of included sports and activities.

If they are not, you will not receive cover for anything that occurs during the safari.

However, your policy may offer the option for you to choose an ‘adventure pack’ at an additional cost, which can include many activities that aren’t covered in the standard offering.

This can also include hiking or trekking to certain altitudes.

It’s important to consider which activities you may be participating in during your trip to South Africa in order to ensure you have the appropriate coverage, and purchase an additional add-on if necessary.

What Travel Insurance Won’t Cover

Your travel insurance policy won’t cover anything that is set out in its exclusions, as per the product disclosure statement (PDS). This could include certain sports and activities (such as a safari), or travel to certain regions in South Africa due to safety.

While each travel insurance policy differs on the fine-print, it is standard for most policies not to cover:

  • Cancellations due to ‘disinclination to travel’, being if you change your mind about your holiday;
  • Accidents or injuries that occur when not following the appropriate safety guidance or official guidelines;
  • Intoxicated behaviour, including recreational drugs;
  • Any illegal activity.

Be sure to carefully read the PDS of your policy so you know exactly what you can and cannot claim on your trip to South Africa.

Is it safe to travel to South Africa?

Smartraveller recommends that Australians exercise a high degree of caution when travelling to South Africa, due to the threat of violent crime. This includes armed robbery, mugging, carjacking, credit card theft, and more.

There is a higher risk of violent crime in major cities after dark, or during “rolling blackout” periods.

For these reasons (and more), Smartraveller urges Australians to take out a travel insurance policy before travelling to South Africa.

Do Australians need a visa for South Africa?

No, Australians do not need a visa for South Africa if they are visiting for tourism for stays of up to 90 days.

Where can I buy travel insurance for South Africa?

Most Australian travel insurance providers will cover Aussies wanting to head abroad to South Africa. When shopping around for a policy, you will be able to choose your destination when you request a quote. If there is no option to choose South Africa, this would be a clear indicator that the insurance provider does not provide policies to this region.

At the time of writing, a few of our top picks for comprehensive travel insurance cover South Africa, including Allianz and Cover-More .

Travel insurance providers can revoke the issuing of new policies to certain destinations at any time, especially if Smartraveller changes the alert warning for a country to ‘Do Not Travel’.

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Sophie Venz is an experienced editor and features reporter, and has previously worked in the small business and start-up reporting space. Previously the Associate Editor of SmartCompany, Sophie has worked closely with finance experts and columnists around Australia and internationally.

IMAGES

  1. Perth COVID-19 Update: Further Border Restrictions For South Australian

    travel restrictions south australia

  2. South Australian Roadmap for Easing COVID-19 Restrictions

    travel restrictions south australia

  3. Australian Chamber of Commerce and IndustryReleasing domestic travel

    travel restrictions south australia

  4. Coronavirus restrictions: State by state guide on the restrictions

    travel restrictions south australia

  5. Recent Easing of Covid-19 Restrictions Opens Travel

    travel restrictions south australia

  6. Coronavirus border restrictions: Travel rules explained, state-by-state

    travel restrictions south australia

COMMENTS

  1. Coronavirus Travel South Australia

    South Australia is now officially open to all visitors, both from interstate and overseas. Below we have summarised what you can expect upon arrival to South Australia, but for any information on restrictions, testing and vaccination requirements we ask that you refer to the SA Health COVID-19 page.This is the official and trusted South Australian government source of all COVID-19 travel ...

  2. Travel restrictions for fruit and vegetables in South Australia

    South Australia has restrictions on what fruit, vegetables, plants and plant products can be brought into the state and Riverland. Plan your travel to avoid a fine Avoid any unnecessary fines by checking the travel restrictions for fruit and vegetables before travelling.

  3. Borders to open

    Borders to open - South Australia's COVID-Ready Plan. A plan to reopen our state and ease restrictions has been released - with 23 November set for when South Australia will open borders to fully-vaccinated people from all Australian states and territories. It is the date SA is expected to reach the national vaccination target of 80 per ...

  4. How to navigate the South Australia border re-opening

    Key points: Cross-border community members can get a three-month approval. People leaving SA for less than 72 hours will still need to apply for re-entry. Travellers gone for more than three days ...

  5. South Australia opened its borders to COVID-19. So, what have we

    Key points: SA opened its borders to NSW, ACT and Victoria last Tuesday. As of Saturday, 10 positive cases had been recorded in interstate travellers. Close contacts of positive cases still need ...

  6. South Australian Premier Steven Marshall outlines COVID-19 requirements

    SA Premier Steven Marshall said fully vaccinated travellers from every Victorian and New South Wales local government area will be permitted to travel, except for Byron Bay, which is yet to hit a ...

  7. Travelling with fruit and vegetables to South Australia from interstate

    Report suspected fruit fly or get answers to your fruit fly questions. The hotline is open 24 hours. Call 1300 666 010. Page Last Reviewed: 04 Aug 2023. Understand how to plan your travel into South Australia including what fruit and vegetables are restricted from your state.

  8. South Australia Covid lockdown restrictions: update to coronavirus

    An update to Covid restrictions in South Australia and a one-week lockdown has been announced by premier Steven Marshall following new local coronavirus cases.

  9. COVID-19 health information

    SA Health's Aboriginal Health Care Framework 2023-2031 measuring contributions towards closing the gap on health disparity between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal. Health information about coronavirus disease (COVID-19) for South Australians. Find COVID-19 testing clinics and read the latest health updates and advice on COVID-19.

  10. COVID-19 and travel

    COVID-19 however continues to pose a health risk in Australia and overseas. We strongly encourage wearing masks and being vaccinated while travelling internationally. You should practice good cough and hand hygiene, and physically distance from others where possible. Some countries, airlines and vessel operators may have COVID-19 travel ...

  11. Travel and COVID-19

    People travelling to Australia no longer need to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result. Some countries, airlines and ships may have their own testing, vaccination and face-mask rules. You should check with them before travelling. During your travel to Australia, you're encouraged to wear a face mask to reduce ...

  12. 'A bit of a scary time': South Australia plans to drop border

    South Australia's COVID-Ready roadmap will include a significant repeal of border restrictions for double-vaccinated people from November 23, while international travellers will have quarantine ...

  13. Check before you pack and go

    Download Australian Interstate Quarantine: A traveller's guide. Alternatively, go to the map on the page and click on the name of the state or territory you wish to travel to (ie the text, not the map). A list of commodities will be displayed and the state or territory of origin. For example, no fresh fruit may be taken into South Australia ...

  14. How have Australia's international travel rules changed in response to

    South Australia has reimposed some border restrictions. All international travellers and people arriving in SA from high-risk Australian locations will again be required to quarantine for 14 days.

  15. Coronavirus Travel Safety Information

    For specific product advice, travellers should seek the most up to date information from their travel agent, accommodation provider or tourism operator. We also highly encourage you seek the latest health and government advice (including border restrictions) from the relevant authorities. Your health and safety is our highest priority.

  16. Entering or leaving Australia

    Plan your trip with australia.com, the official Tourism Australia website, offering a wide range of travel information and planning tools including over 2000 images, a currency converter, daily weather updates, interactive maps, suggested holiday itineraries, holiday deals, specialist travel agents and more. Available in nine languages.

  17. Covid border restrictions across Australia: where you can and can't

    Border restrictions have been lifted for the rest of Victoria and all of South Australia. But anyone who has been at a public exposure state in any other state must get a Covid-19 test and ...

  18. South Australia's border is open. Let's take a look at who can come in

    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.

  19. Homepage

    The Australian Government provides 24-hour consular emergency assistance. +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas. 1300 555 135 from within Australia. For how we can help you overseas see the Consular Services Charter.

  20. List of items you can and can't bring in

    The Australian Border Force acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their cultures and to their elders past, present and emerging.

  21. SA borders to stay open despite Premier being 'extraordinarily

    Western Australia limited travel from South Australia to returning residents on Thursday, while the Northern Territory increased testing requirements. Arrivals in South Australia will need to be ...

  22. Travel Insurance For South Africa

    Tourism is on the rise in South Africa according to the local government, with more than four million tourists visiting the nation in the first half of 2023 alone.Australians form a sizable chunk ...