Wednesday 25 May 2022

Dear sector colleagues,

Major Emergency Declaration lifted

As you will likely have seen in media reports this week, the South Australian Parliament has passed changes to the Public Health Act which means that the state’s Major Emergency Declaration has been lifted, while still ensuring important public health measures are retained.

For more than two years, the Major Emergency Declaration has enabled a range of restrictions to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in South Australia.

This has been vital in the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and has positioned our health system well to respond to surges in COVID-19 cases.

Existing requirements continue to apply

Under the amendments to the Public Health Act, existing requirements will continue to apply.

This includes requirements for:

• COVID-19 cases and close contacts.
• Mask wearing in hospitals, disability care facilities, health care services, pharmacies, correctional facilities, passenger transport, and planes and airports.
• COVID-19 vaccinations for health care, residential aged care and in-home disability care workers.
• Testing for international arrivals.
• COVID Safe Check-In in hospitals, residential aged care and disability care facilities.

As you can see from these listed requirements, there continues to be measures that our sector needs to implement to keep the safety of the people we support, our staff and the community safe and ensure the health system’s resources can manage COVID-19 cases.

SA Health advice

To support critical workers who are close contacts in hospitals, residential aged care facilities, disability, corrections and other health care settings, the Chief Public Health Officer has provided this guidance. These protocols continue to list requirements of providers in managing COVID-19 cases, close contacts and in continuing to respond to COVID-19 in the community.

You can stay informed about the latest advice for managing COVID-19 by regularly visiting the COVID-19 positive advice page on the SA Health website.

Thank you all for your ongoing commitment and dedication to protecting each other against the spread of COVID-19.

Ngaityalya (Kaurna, thank you)

Lois Boswell
Chief Executive

Read the NGO Newsletter online - 25 May 2022