South Australian firefighters and volunteers must be fully vaccinated with booster shots under new Covid-19 directions as the state recorded an increase in daily Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours.
On Wednesday, there were 1723 new infections and one death reported, which increased by 457 cases from Tuesday’s figures.
But Premier Steven Marshall said the increase in daily numbers was not a concern because the hot weather from the previous day “artificially reduced” Tuesday‘s figures, as less people were tested.
“It does let us remind every single South Australian not to be complacent,” he said.
Mr Marshall said masks would remain for the foreseeable future.
“We know this is an airborne disease and is easily transmitted. We want people to go back to work and to support hospitality in a safe way, but we do not want a second wave.”
Currently, 233 people are in hospital, with 21 in intensive care and five on ventilators.
Of the positive tests, 1317 came from PRC test and 406 from RAT kits.
Police Commissioner Grant Stevens signed a declaration on Tuesday afternoon, making it mandatory for all Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) workers to be fully vaccinated, including having a booster when they’re eligible.
Under the law that will come into effect at 12.01am on February 13, all MFS metropolitan and regional workers, including firefighters, public sector employees, contractors and volunteers, will need three doses in order to continue their duties.
Mr Marshall also announced on Tuesday that elective surgery would be reintroduced in a staged way from next Monday.
Under the plan, day surgery in the private sector and surgery in country local health networks (LHN) will first be reinstated on February 7.
The following week, up to 75 per cent of day surgery in the private sector will be permitted as well as day surgery in the public sector for metropolitan LHNs.
As of February 21, all elective surgery in the private sector as well as day surgery and all category 2 surgery in the public sector will resume.
By the fourth week, all elective surgery in the public sector will be permitted.
“While we were one of the first states to impose the elective surgery ban, we are one of the first to remove it – and that’s thanks to South Australia’s strong and decisive handling of the global Omicron outbreak,” Mr Marshall said.
“The ban was necessary to put in place last year to help us fight the global Omicron outbreak, ensure our health system was prepared and vaccinate as many South Australians as possible.”
