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New laws proposed to make it easier to detain or quarantine people exposed to coronavirus in SA

A man on a gurney wears a mask as doctors in larger masks push him through a hospital corridor.
Coronavirus has proven deadly in China and other parts of the world, with thousands of cases reported.(Reuters)

South Australian health authorities will have expanded powers to detain and quarantine people who may have been exposed to the coronavirus under new laws being proposed by the State Government.

The move to strengthen the powers of health authorities comes in response to the coronavirus outbreak, and in a bid to curb any similar threats in the future.

The proposed amendments would allow the chief public health officer (CPHO) to verbally order the detention of a person if they are considered to be at risk of spreading a disease such as coronavirus.

Premier Steven Marshall said there were already existing powers for police to get involved where a person refuses to comply with a detention order issued by health authorities.

However, the new laws would make it easier for police to be called in, as well as security firms or court orders, to enforce detainment and quarantines.

"There is no need to be alarmed. Part of strengthening our state's protection is to make sure that our public health experts have the powers they need to protect South Australians," he said.

South Australian Premier Steven Marshall speaks to media at a podium as SA Health's Nicola Spurrier looks on.
SA Premier Steven Marshall and SA Health's Nicola Spurrier speak about the new legislation.(ABC News: Isabel Dayman)

Health Minister Stephen Wade said the ability to place individuals quickly on the basis of risk could be critical to preventing the spread of infection.

"[The] key to being prepared is to ensure that our public health experts have the tools they need to be nimble and proactive in controlling any possible outbreak scenario."

Proposed changes will make response time quicker

Mr Wade said the amendments proposed would provide the CPHO with a greater capacity to respond to an outbreak and contain public health risks.

The proposed amendments to the Public Health Act include "allowing a more timely and rapid process for the officer to detain a person engaging in conduct that presents a risk to the public".

The changes allow for an expansion of controls under the act to people who "could have been exposed" to a controlled notifiable condition, rather than just those known to be exposed.

They would also allow the detention, verbal orders or directions to require testing, and ordering people to remain at a specified place.

CPHO Nicola Spurrier said the changes would allow for a more timely response to public health risks.

The State Government said there had been three confirmed cases of COVID-19 in South Australia with one from the state also currently awaiting a test result.

A 24-year-old woman, who was a passenger on the Diamond Princess cruise ship, remains isolated in the Royal Adelaide Hospital in a stable condition.

Yesterday, an elderly man from Perth who spent time on the Diamond Princess became the first Australian to die from contracting coronavirus.

Mr Marshall said the amendments to the Public Health Act would be introduced to Parliament tomorrow.


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