South Australia To Open Borders By Wednesday, 'A Welcome Move Forward'

South Australia will be opening its borders to three other states by Wednesday. This follows months of travel and border lockdowns due to the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

Premier Steven Marshall has confirmed the news Tuesday. SA will allow visitors from Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory without the need for quarantine by Tuesday (June 16), 11:59 p.m. AEST. This aims to kickstart its economy through tourism.

Marshall said the state sought legal advice in this decision. He also encouraged other states to make a decision based on their “own legal advice.”

“We've received our advice and it's pretty clear there's no reason for us to be unnecessarily detaining citizens from Western Australia, the Northern Territory or Tasmania,” Marshall said, noted Yahoo! Australia.

“So effective from midnight tonight there will be no requirement for 14 days of self-isolation.”

However, Premier Mark McGowan said WA is not looking to have a travel bubble with the other states, stating this is “unconstitutional.”

“I'm not optimistic that other jurisdictions will immediately lift with us,” Marshall said of other states’ decision not to open their borders.

“It is likely to be a messy situation, but we are committed as a national Cabinet to move into allowing interstate travel in July.”

Mandatory 14-day quarantine will remain for visitors from other states and ACT. Border restrictions for all other states, including New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, are expected to be lifted by July 20.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison praised SA’s decision to lift travel restrictions partially.

“A welcome move forward on the path to a COVIDSafe reopening across Australia. Looking forward to returning to SA to enjoy a locally brewed Coopers,” he tweeted