South Australia has set a November deadline for all health care workers to have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine.

South Australia has set a November deadline for all healthcare workers to have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

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In a declaration posted on Thursday, all people performing duties in public and private healthcare settings must have received their first vaccine dose by November 1.

They must also be able to show evidence of a booking to have a second dose.

The direction applies to clinicians, ambulance workers, allied health workers, cleaners, administrative and executive staff and students on placement, regardless of whether they work in a patient or a non-patient area.
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Those who provide a medical certificate can be exempt from the new rules.

The direction also comes after the introduction of a vaccine mandate for truckies and other freight workers came into force on Thursday after a spate of COVID-19 cases linked to drivers.

Almost a dozen infections reported in SA in recent weeks have involved truckies who have passed through the state.

Any such essential workers entering South Australia from NSW, Victoria or the ACT must now show proof of having at least one vaccine dose.

The documentation will only need to be provided once with each person's status to be updated on their cross-border permit.

As the deadline loomed, Premier Steven Marshall said the change was necessary following the number of recent cases linked to freight operators.

"We've had seven, eight, maybe nine truck drivers bring the Delta variant into South Australia just in the last couple of weeks," he said.

"So this is a major priority. We hope that all drivers comply with that direction."

From next week, the new rules will also apply to other categories of essential travellers including emergency service workers, remote and specialist workers and diplomatic and consular staff.

SA Health reported no new virus cases on Thursday, after concerns over the case of a woman from Mt Gambier who tested positive for the virus this week after spending time in Victoria.

Her infection prompted tough new restrictions for Mt Gambier and two other council areas in SA's southeast.

They include stricter density rules, a limit of two visitors to any home, and bans on private functions and organised sporting activities.

After testing positive, the woman, in her 40s, was transferred to hotel quarantine in Adelaide along with her four children.

With no new cases linked to hers so far, hopes are rising for the Mt Gambier's restrictions to be lifted on time early next week or even earlier.

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