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SA modelling to set ongoing virus rules

Tim DorninAAP
Steven Marshall says some restrictions will stay after the 80 per cent vaccination target is met.
Camera IconSteven Marshall says some restrictions will stay after the 80 per cent vaccination target is met. Credit: AAP

South Australia will conduct its own modelling and use national analysis to help set the level of ongoing COVID-19 restrictions and border closures once vaccine targets are hit, Premier Steven Marshall says.

The premier says some level of social health measures and border rules will remain in place even after 80 per cent of eligible people are double vaccinated.

But he says SA wants to move away from statewide lockdowns and full state lockouts.

"There will still need to be some caps, some density arrangements in place with these public health social measures and they are likely to be in place for some time," Mr Marshall told reporters on Tuesday.

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"We will still need to have a high testing regime in place. People infected and their close contacts will still need to be isolated.

"But the over-arching outcome we want is an end to statewide lockdowns and an end to whole-of-state blockouts.

"That doesn't mean we'll just be removing all restrictions when we get to that 80 per cent."

In terms of opening up to NSW and Victoria, Mr Marshall said it was likely people coming across the border would all need to be double vaccinated and there would still need to be some form of testing arrangements.

SA has hard border closures in place with both states, with even returning South Australians requiring a special exemption to travel.

Also on Tuesday, the state's transition committee met and decided against relaxing any local coronavirus measures.

There was some suggestion mask mandates would be eased, but the committee decided to keep the current rules in place which require masks to be worn in most indoor settings, including workplaces, shopping centres and on public transport.

Other restrictions left unchanged included the general density rule of three people to every four square metres for seated activity and one to every two square metres for standing events.

Home gatherings remain limited to 20 people while private functions, including weddings and funerals, can have up to 150.

SA Health reported no new local virus cases on Tuesday with authorities dealing with three active infections.

All those cases involved returned overseas travellers in hotel quarantine.

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