Changes to isolation & masks on domestic flights | best July on record | biggest Rugby crowd & more
Changes will be introduced to COVID isolation times and mask use on domestic flights later next week, following yesterday’s meeting of National Cabinet.
From September 9, the COVID isolation period will reduce from seven days to five for people who are asymptomatic. This excludes workers in high-risk settings, such as aged care and disability care, who must continue to self-isolate for seven days.
Also from September 9, masks will no longer be mandatory on domestic flights.
These are moves labelled by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as a “proportionate response” at this stage of the pandemic.
In a welcome move for travellers, SA Health has today revised the Emergency Management (COVID-19 Requirements) Direction 2022, with all international arrivals (vaccinated or unvaccinated) who arrive in South Australia no longer required to undertake a rapid antigen test or PCR test on arrival.
These are important steps forward for the recovery of our industry, making it easier for more people to visit our country and our state. The reduction in the COVID isolation period is expected to help alleviate labour shortages which we know remain a challenge for tourism and hospitality operators.
We are also closely watching the Jobs and Skills Summit, being held in Canberra today and tomorrow. The sessions bring together a broad section of employers, business groups and governments to address job shortages and other challenges facing tourism and other sectors. Premier Peter Malinauskas is representing South Australia in the discussions. Details and updates from the Summit are available here.
In other news, over the weekend we shared that South Australian regional accommodation occupancy in July was the best July on record – a positive indicator that appetite for exploring SA remains strong.
It came as we celebrated the first international rugby Test match in Adelaide in nearly 20 years – a record crowd of almost 37,000 turning out to Adelaide Oval to watch the historic Wallabies and Wallaroos double-header.
There’s been big news of musical talent heading to our state, with the inaugural Harvest Rock line-up released and tickets on sale, as well as first artist announcement for WOMADelaide 2023.
I would also take this opportunity to remind industry of our $2 million Experience Nature Tourism Fund which opens for applications on September 5. The Fund aims to encourage investment in nature-based tourism experiences in and around our state’s national parks, providing more reasons for domestic and international visitors to visit SA.
Stephanie Rozokos
Chief Executive