South Australia on track to ease further restrictions after recording no new cluster cases

Premier Steven Marshall said the state's transition committee met on Tuesday to consider the current range of restrictions and would meet again on Friday.

South Australia has recorded zero new cases linked to its cluster.

South Australia has recorded zero new cases linked to its cluster. Source: Getty Images AsiaPac

No new cases have been added to South Australia's concerning coronavirus cluster, leaving the state on track to lift a range of restrictions next week.

Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier says one new infection has been reported but is not linked to the so-called Parafield cluster.

The man in his 20s is a close contact of a returned traveller and is already in a quarantine hotel.

That leaves the cluster at 27 cases, with Professor Spurrier remaining optimistic the outbreak has been contained.

"We're not out of the woods yet but as I said yesterday, I'm confident that we have got rid of this again in our state," she told reporters on Tuesday.

"I haven't popped the cork on the Champagne bottle yet, but the Champagne is on ice.

"I'd like to see how we go this week."
Premier Steven Marshall said the state's transition committee met on Tuesday to consider the current range of restrictions and would meet again on Friday.

He said the plan remained to return SA to the level of restrictions in place for the Parafield outbreak from December 1.

"South Australia is continuing to rise to the challenge of this particular cluster," he said.

"I believe that we are now in a very good position to stare down this second wave."

It comes as sweeping changes came into effect across Victoria, which now has no active coronavirus cases for the first time since February.

The state's last active case, a man in his 90s, was discharged from hospital on Monday.

Victoria has gone 25 days without virus deaths or new cases.

Also on Monday, Victorians were reunited with cut-off interstate relatives, loved ones and friends, as the NSW border re-opened to end more than four months of exile.
Sweeping changes have come into effect across Victoria this week, with masks no longer needed outdoors unless people are unable to safely physically distance.

They must still wear masks in indoor environments including workplaces, supermarkets and public transport, and carry them at all times.

Melburnians have been required to wear face masks outside since mid-July and the rule was extended to regional Victoria in early August.

Other tweaks from Monday include 15 home visitors allowed per day, up from two, while limits on outdoor public gatherings rise to 50 people.

For weddings and funerals, 150 people will be able to come together to celebrate or commiserate.

The same limit applies to cinemas, galleries and museums, and large-scale events can resume if granted a permit.

Large restaurants, cafes and pubs will be able to host up to 150 customers indoors, while smaller venues will be limited to 50 and must keep QR code records.
Premier Daniel Andrews outlined additional steps towards normality as well: up to 30 home visitors per day from December 13 - just in time for Christmas - and 25 per cent of staff returning to workplaces from November 30.

The state's virus death toll stands at 819, with the national figure 907.

People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your jurisdiction's restrictions on gathering limits.

If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. News and information is available in 63 languages at 

Please check the relevant guidelines for your state or territory: 


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4 min read
Published 24 November 2020 8:24am
Updated 24 November 2020 12:15pm
Source: AAP, SBS



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