The Department for Health and Wellbeing is to expand the Home Quarantine SA app in October, with plans to manage up to 250 travellers every week.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Stephen Wade said results from an initial trial, which saw 30 people safely complete home quarantine so far, had proven the nation-leading app was successful in safely managing home quarantine for select users.
“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,” Mr Wade said.
He said following assessment of the trial for international arrivals, SA Health would review which other select groups of international arrivals could safely use the Home Quarantine SA App.
Mr Wade said the trial statistics of the App showed that of the 98 participants in the trial to date: 64 were currently in home quarantine, 28 of whom were international arrivals this week; 30 had completed quarantine; and four did not complete (two withdrew and two had phone/network issues).
Deputy Chief Public Health Officer and quarantine lead for SA Health, Dr Emily Kirkpatrick, said the trials could help the entire nation to safely repatriate more Australians travelling home from overseas.
Dr Kirkpatrick said a summary of initial insights had been shared with around 100 COVID-19 counterparts from across Australia and were well received.
“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,” Dr Kirkpatrick said.
