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South Australia Marks Two Weeks With No New Coronavirus Cases In 'Exciting Day' For State

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  1. Mahmoud Abudeif

    Mahmoud Abudeif Golden Member

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    South Australia has recorded two full weeks without a new coronavirus case.

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    There are now only two active cases in the state, Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier announced.

    She said it was an "exciting day" and she had wondered whether it would eventuate.

    "We have made it, South Australia — so no new cases today: two weeks now having been clear of another new case in South Australia," Dr Spurrier said.

    "So I'm really very pleased to be able to announce that and it does put us in a very good position when we're looking at the very important process of lifting and making those adjustments to the restrictions."

    The number of positive cases recorded still sits at 438, from more than 63,000 tests.

    "At this time, we really cannot be complacent," Dr Spurrier said.

    "We still need to do all the things we've been doing.

    "We don't want to undo all the good we've been doing."

    Two people who have recovered from COVID–19 and tested negative are still in hospital because of their poor health from the disease.

    A total of 99.5 per cent of those infected with the virus have recovered.

    Border restrictions to stay in place

    Dr Spurrier said border restrictions would stay in place, especially after clusters interstate, such as at a Melbourne abattoir.

    Visitors to South Australia need to spend 14 days in quarantine.

    Premier Steven Marshall yesterday flagged reopening travel to regional areas and relaxing the limits on funeral attendance.

    He said a taste of normality was not far away.

    "We can do that from this coming Monday … and that's great news for people who have done the right thing," he said.

    There has been a surge in the number of people visiting national parks in South Australia since the coronavirus pandemic started.

    Visitor numbers jumped by 120 per cent in the past few weeks, with people seeking more outdoor activities as many shops and entertainment venues closed.

    Environment Minister David Speirs said "getting back to nature" had helped some people cope with the crisis.

    "Make sure you social distance and stay as local as possible and we've had people just pouring into parks like never before," he said.

    Exports leave for Asia from Adelaide

    More than 180 tonnes of fresh produce will be exported from South Australia to Asia under a partnership between the Federal Government and Singapore Airlines.

    A flight full of freight such as chilled seafood, tuna, lamb, chicken meat, eggs, wine, cosmetics, mining equipment and cider left Adelaide Airport this morning.

    Federal Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said the national export scheme was "step one" in rebooting the economy.

    "We're supporting more than 200 flights from around Australia to hit a number of overseas markets, so if South Australian freight needs to get to the Middle East, we can get it shipped from Adelaide to those places around Australia, where we've got planes headed to the Middle East," he said.

    Push for outdoor dining on city streets

    The Adelaide City Council will next week discuss a proposal to shut down streets and extend outdoor dining once the coronavirus pandemic ends.

    Councillor Phil Martin's motion suggests increasing the al fresco footprint and closing main streets like O'Connell Street and Rundle Street regularly or for major celebrations.

    It aims to boost business and increase patronage, while accommodating social distancing rules.

    Cr Martin said council staff would need to investigate the idea.

    "The idea of opening streets is important — or turning streets over to cafes and restaurants so that we can at least celebrate the capacity to go out and eat again," he said.

    "I feel pretty strongly for our restaurants and cafes — the loss of jobs has been phenomenal."

    Meanwhile, SA Health says some GPs have been left without flu vaccines amid a distribution bungle.

    Some GPs have received more of the vaccines targeted for people aged 65-plus than expected, while others have none.

    Dr Spurrier said SA Health would look at redistributing the vaccine.

    "But vaccines are not like other sorts of medication — it has to remain in the fridge — so in the first instance we're looking at which GPs have more than they need and how they can safely distribute that," she said.

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