South Australia is set to expand its use of the nation-leading Home Quarantine SA app from October, with plans being put in place to manage up to 250 travellers every week.
The move will embed the app as one of the tools used to keep the community safe from COVID-19.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said the results from an initial trial had proven the app is successful in safely managing home quarantine for select users.
"The innovative Home Quarantine SA app has seen 30 people safely complete quarantine at home so far, proving the solution can reduce the burden on our medi-hotels system and improve quarantine conditions for returning Australians," said Minister Wade.
"As another part of our COVID Recovery Plan, we are now looking to progressively scale up to manage up to 250 travellers via the Home Quarantine SA app every week from next month
"We want to help South Australians to return home as quickly as possible, and implementing home quarantine using the app will help manage this safely.
"The Home Quarantine SA app will ensure we can protect the health and wellbeing of the individuals quarantining in their own homes as well as keeping the South Australian community safe from the spread of COVID-19."
In a positive development, a summary of initial insights were this week shared with around 100 COVID-19 counterparts from across Australia and were well received.
Deputy Chief Public Health Officer and SA Health's quarantine lead, Dr Emily Kirkpatrick, said the learnings from the domestic and international Home Quarantine SA trials could help the entire nation to safely repatriate more Australians travelling home from overseas.
"The ongoing international trial is showing early signs of success and will allow us to review the viability of adding home quarantine as another option for Australians returning home from overseas," Dr Kirkpatrick said.
"Currently, the app is being trialled on 90 low-risk returning international travellers, who are all fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and have access to a suitable, self-contained home..
"The app not only allows us to monitor compliance, it also provides one-stop-shop support for the traveller whilst in quarantine, including information on their quarantine exit date, testing regime, managing wellbeing and up-to-date public health information."
Following assessment of the trial for international arrivals, SA Health will review which other select groups of international arrivals could safely use the Home Quarantine SA App.
Home Quarantine SA App Trial Stats
- 98 participants in the trial to date
- 64 currently in home quarantine - 28 of which are international arrivals this week
- 30 have completed quarantine
- 4 did not complete (2 withdrew and 2 with phone/network issues)
