NEW social restrictions, compulsory quarantine and fines for breaching self-isolation regulations are among measures made by state and federal governments over the weekend to combat the spread of COVID-19.
All arrivals through airports will now be required to quarantine in hotels and other facilities before they can return home under strict new rules announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
The Prime Minister urged people aged 70 and over, people with chronic illnesses over the age of 60 and indigenous people over the age of 50 to stay at home and self-isolate.
As of Saturday, international arrivals must isolate in the city they arrived in, irrespective of their permanent residence.
South Australian residents who disembark from an international flight in Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Darwin will be required to undertake two weeks of monitored self-isolation.
Upon returning to South Australia, individuals will be required to self-quarantine for a further two weeks.
People who are not complying with the compulsory self-isolation measures will face on-the-spot fines of $1000 under new State Government regulations.
Businesses found to not be compliant will be fined $5000.
Meanwhile, the State Government announced road repairs and improvements on the Dukes and Riddoch highways will be fast tracked as part of a $1b economic stimulus package to support South Australian jobs and businesses.
South Australia banned gatherings of more than 10 people on Friday, but two days later, Mr Morrison announced a tightening of the rules, limiting them to two people.
Individual states and territories will determine whether to mandate and enforce the new limit.
On Sunday, the National Cabinet agreed to further limit most indoor and outdoor non-essential gatherings to two people.
Individuals are urged to stay at home unless going to work or education, shopping for essential supplies such as groceries, going out for personal exercise or attending medical appointments or compassionate visits.
Weddings can be conducted with no more than five people, including the couple, the celebrant and the witnesses, while funerals must be limited to no more than 10 people.
The four square metre rule and social distancing must be observed at both events.
People in essential workplaces, healthcare settings, pharmacies, food shopping, schools and universities – where you cannot study from home – and public transport and airport are considered essential gatherings and are exempt from the two person rule.
However, essential gatherings must apply social distancing and good hygiene practices, including being able to maintain 1.5 metres between people and providing hand hygiene and suitable rubbish buns, with frequent cleaning and waste disposal.
The Limestone Coast has recorded six cases of COVID-19, with three new cases confirmed last Wednesday.
A 10-year-old Kingston Community School student tested positive to the virus on Thursday, prompting a minimum 24 hour shutdown of the facility.
