SA Police at the border checkpoint between South Australia and Victoria near Mt Gambier. Photo / Frank Monger
SA Police at the border checkpoint between South Australia and Victoria near Mt Gambier. Photo / Frank Monger
Two teenagers from Victoria are currently isolating after police discovered they hitchhiked their way into South Australia to see a friend before the lockdown came into effect.
The two girls had been reported missing before it was discovered they had crossed the border overnight.
South Australian Police were contacted by their Victorian counterparts about 7.15am on Friday and were told the two girls hitchhiked into the state using a number of different vehicles to see a friend in the town Goolwa, about 82km south of Adelaide.
After the trio met up, they boarded a school bus and travelled to the Victor Harbour High School among other students.
SA Police said the bus was stopped with all students and the two Victorian girls on board.
"Police are working with other agencies including SA Health, Victoria Police and Victor Harbor High School to ensure the safety of those on board," a police spokesman said in a statement.
"The two teenage girls have been isolated and are co-operating with police."
SA Health is working with police to arrange Covid-19 tests for the teens.
Anyone who believes they gave the two girls a lift from the Victorian border to Goolwa is being urged to isolate immediately and contact SA Health on the Covid hotline on 1800 253 787.
The school bus had students from the Victor Harbour High School on-board. Photo / Supplied
Victor Harbour High School Deputy Principal Adrienne Conley issued a statement on social media about 11am on Friday to inform parents of the situation.
"This morning South Australian police stopped a school bus with some of our students on it in relation to a possible breach of Covid-19 restrictions," she said.
"At this stage we are awaiting further advice from SAPOL and health authorities on what we need to do."
A second statement was issued half an hour later that said all families whose children were on the bus had been contacted.
"Their children are in the process of being taken home until further health advice is provided," the statement said.
South Australia closed its border with Greater Melbourne earlier this week, no longer allowing travellers to enter the state unless someone was a returning SA resident, an essential traveller or had been granted an exemption.
Those who are eligible to cross the border must complete 14 days of self quarantine.
Anyone who visited the City of Greater Bendigo after May 22 will also be subject to Level 3 restrictions.
This means they can enter but must self-isolated until they receive a negative Covid-19 test, be tested on days one, 5, and 13, and cannot attend a high-risk setting or event that has a Covid Management Plan for 14 days after they arrive.
SA Police at the border checkpoint between South Australia and Victoria near Mt Gambier. Photo / Frank Monger
Anyone arriving into SA must complete an online border declaration form.
Victoria was plunged into a seven-day lockdown at midnight on Friday in a bid to contain its most recent outbreak which began after a Melbourne man contracted the virus in a SA medi-hotel.
