The state, in which Adelaide and the Barossa Valley sit, will reopen borders to fully vaccinated people from all Australian states and territories on 23 November. This is the date South Australians are expected to reach the national vaccination target of 80%, a milestone likely to be achieved “earlier than initially expected”. 

Also from 23 November, returning Australian citizens and permanent residents can enter South Australia. Vaccinated arrivals in these categories must spend seven days in quarantine and unvaccinated arrivals must isolate for 14 days.

The state will reopen to fully vaccinated international travellers without the need for quarantine when vaccination rates among South Australians reach 90% of those aged 12 and over. Unvaccinated arrivals will still need to quarantine for 14 days.

Officials said: “While no date has been pegged for this, it is expected that this will be reached by the end of the year. It is the hope that South Australia will welcome international tourists early in 2022.”

Rodney Harrex, South Australian Tourism Commission chief executive, said: “As one of the first ‘Covid-free’ states to open to fully vaccinated travellers in New South Wales and Victoria – our state’s key domestic markets – this is an opportunity for our industry and is a positive step towards a wider reopening.”