COVID-19: Latest Restrictions

With an ever-changing national situation, we will endeavour to bring you the very latest information on travel restrictions for entering South Australia and Northern Territory, as well as current restrictions imposed internally on State and Territory residents.


On this page:

South Australia

Northern Territory


South Australia

Close contacts

From 12.01am on Saturday, 30 April 2022, non-symptomatic close contacts do not have to isolate, but they must:

  • Undertake 5 rapid antigen tests (RAT) during the 7 day period, with the last test taking place on day 7. Each test should be at least 24 hours apart.
  • Wear masks when leaving the house (including attending work)
  • Prohibited from high-risk settings; and
  • Notify employers and educational facilities of their close contact status

Non-symptomatic close contacts are also recommended to:

  • Avoid non-essential gatherings; and
  • Avoid contact with people at risk of severe illness


If a close contact develops symptoms, they are required to undertake a PCR test and isolate until they receive a negative result.


If you are a close contact with no COVID-19 symptoms, you can access free rapid antigen tests to complete your required tests. You must register before collecting your tests from the RAT Collection Point. If you can’t access a RAT Collection Point or don’t feel comfortable using a rapid antigen test, you can get a PCR test.


In South Australia, a ‘close contact’:

  • is a household member or intimate partner of a person with COVID-19 during their infectious period
  • has had close personal interaction with a person with COVID-19 for a cumulative period of 4 hours or more during their infectious period;
    • where masks are not worn by the person and the COVID-19 case and
    • in close physical proximity (within 1.5 metres) and
    • in an indoor setting
  • has been notified by SA Health that they are a close contact; OR
  • has been to an exposure site listed on the SA Health website.


COVID-19 cases are considered infectious two days before their symptoms started or if they didn’t have any noticeable symptoms, they are considered infectious two days before they had their positive COVID-19 test taken.

Most close contacts will receive an SMS from SA Health. However, if you know you are a close contact, please do not wait for the SMS – get tested and isolate immediately.

In an emergency or if you have symptoms such as difficulty breathing or chest pain, call Triple Zero (000).


Quarantine and isolation FAQs

How do I safely quarantine?

Do not have physical contact with people, including those who are living in the same home as you. You must not be in the same room as other people in the home.

Find more information about how to safely isolate at home is available on the isolation and quarantine advice page.

What if I have already had COVID-19?

If you have previously tested positive to COVID-19, you will not be considered a close contact for 28 days after your release from isolation.

After 28 days, you will be considered a close contact if you are re-exposed to COVID-19 and meet the close contact definition.

What mental health support is available to me?

It’s normal to feel stressed or worried when in isolation.

For urgent assistance, contact the Mental Health Triage Service (24/7) on 13 14 65.

Visit the COVID-19 Mental Health Support page for a range of support services and other resources for adults, children, and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.


Masks in SA

From 12:01am 15 April 2022, you will no longer be required to wear a mask in any settings apart from the following:

  • Public transport (including bus and coach operators), taxis and rideshare;
  • Airports and aircraft; and,
  • High risk settings such as hospitals and health, aged or disability care facilities.

For information and FAQs about wearing masks in SA, please click here.


Travel restrictions

International Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Arrivals

  • RAT test on arrival (within 24 hours), and quarantine until negative test result
  • Monitor symptoms for 14 days after arrival

People who return a positive RAT result need to immediately have a COVID-19 PCR test by travelling directly to the test site and wearing a mask at all times.

Domestic Arrivals

From 12:01 am 1 January 2022, travellers entering South Australia are no longer required to complete an EntryCheck SA application, or receive a negative PCR test prior to arrival.

If you have been identified as a close contact of a confirmed case interstate, you must not enter SA until at least 7 days after your last contact with the COVID-19 case while they were infectious.

All travellers should download the mySA GOV app from Google Play or the App Store before travelling to South Australia. You are required to use the COVID Safe Check-In whenever you enter a high-risk setting displaying an approved QR code.

More information can be found here.


QR codes

From 12:01am 15 April 2022, QR code check-ins are no longer required in any settings apart from high-risk settings such as hospitals and health, aged or disability care facilities.




northern territory

COVID-19 positive and close contact requirements

  • A confirmed vaccinated positive COVID case must isolate for seven days, and will need to produce a negative Rapid Antigen Test on day six to exit isolation. If the result is positive, they must isolate for a further 7 days from the positive result.
  • Unvaccinated positive cases must isolate for 14 days, and take a Rapid Antigen Test on days 3, 6, and 12. If the final result is negative they can exit isolation.
  • Close contacts must quarantine for 7 days.
  • Unvaccinated close contacts must spend 14 days in home quarantine, not seven.

For more information on close contacts and isolation requirements, please visit the NT Government Close Contacts page.


Close contact definition

A person is considered a close contact if:

  • they reside in the same household/premises as a COVID-19 positive person or stay overnight
  • they have spent four or more continuous hours indoors with a COVID-19 positive person while they were infectious

A person’s infectious period is usually the 2 days before they developed symptoms, or 2 days before they tested positive if they did not have symptoms.


Vaccination mandates

As of 28 January 2022, all workers who in the course of their work:

  • come into contact with vulnerable people;
  • work in a setting which poses a high risk of infection; or
  • perform work that is necessary for the operation or maintenance of essential infrastructure or logistics in the Territory

are required to have their booster vaccine by 22 April 2022.

For the automotive industry, this may include anyone who has direct contact with customers and/or other external contractors, or roles such as a service manager or workshop foreman.

For more information, please click here.


Travel restrictions

There are no longer any entry restrictions on people arriving in the Northern Territory and no requirement for a border entry form.

International travellers must follow the pre-arrival advice on the Smartraveller website.


Masks in the NT

You are no longer required to wear a face mask in most indoor settings in the Northern Territory, but wearing a mask remains recommended. Wearing masks reduces the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

Face masks must be worn in the following high risk settings:

  • hospitals and health care facilities
  • aged care facilities
  • disability residential facilities
  • correctional facilities
  • family violence, sobering up and homeless shelters.

Children under the age of 12 do not need to wear a mask.

For more information on the mask mandate, please click here.


Business-specific

  • For business guidelines and safety plans, please click here.
  • For all other business-specific advice, please click here.


If you have any questions about the information above, please contact us on 8291 2000.