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SYDNEY: The state of South Australia reported 14 new COVID-19 cases on Monday (Nov 16) out of the three cases the day before, a rapid increase in the state’s first outbreak since April, prompting officials to impose social distancing restrictions.
The group also led other Australian states to reimpose strict quarantine measures on anyone arriving from South Australia, just days after Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he expected all internal borders to be open by Christmas.
Authorities in South Australia first reported three locally acquired COVID-19 cases on Sunday, saying the outbreak was caused by a quarantine hotel worker who infected family members. By Monday, the number of cases had risen to 17.
“We are facing our biggest test to date,” said South Australian Prime Minister Steven Marshall, announcing new social distancing rules and reintroducing restrictions on restaurants, cafes and gyms.
“We are working around the clock to stay ahead of this group. We can’t wait to see how bad it gets.”
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Marshall ordered the closure of gyms, recreational facilities, community sports and recreational cafes. The number of people at funerals was limited to 50, while church services were limited to 100 people. Pubs, clubs and restaurants have a limit of 100 people per venue and a maximum reservation of 10 people.
Marshall also advised people to work from home, avoid unnecessary travel, and wear a mask where social distancing was not possible.
International flights will be diverted from Adelaide for at least the rest of the week, he added.
Australia had seen no new locally transmitted cases for several days since the state of Victoria emerged from a prolonged lockdown to end an outbreak there earlier this month.
Victoria has been responsible for most of the around 28,000 cases in Australia and just over 900 deaths.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the latest outbreak was “a reminder, even after a lockdown, even after all this time, the virus has gone nowhere.”
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Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said he had offered to provide the national defense force personnel and contact tracing system to help South Australia stop the spread of the virus.
Western Australia, Tasmania, Queensland and the Northern Territory imposed mandatory quarantine for arrivals from South Australia.
Meanwhile, Australia’s most populous state, New South Wales, did not immediately announce changes to its internal border controls.
Separately, Australia said it would spend A $ 1 billion (US $ 726.3 million) underwriting the construction of a vaccine manufacturing plant under an agreement with a unit of biomedical giant CSL, ensuring provision of flu vaccines and antidotes.
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