COVID restrictions reinstated in South Australia
South Australia will tonight reintroduce a number of significant restrictions in response to a coronavirus cluster in Adelaide’s northern suburbs.
Premier Steven Marshall announced today that the new restrictions would include the re-instatement of the social distancing rules of one person per 4 sqm in hospitality venues, caps of 100 people on pubs, clubs, restaurants and cafés, no vertical drinking indoors or outdoors, and that people should reconsider “unnecessary travel”.
The Premier also advised South Australians to work from home where possible and to wear a mask where physical distancing is not possible, such as on public transport.
The directions are expected to remain in place for two weeks. These measures are tough, and they will no doubt create a lot of anxiety for operators across our industry. As the Premier and SA Health’s Chief Public Health Officer Professor Nicola Spurrier said today, we must act swiftly and decisively to stop the potential of this outbreak becoming SA’s “second wave”.
The good news is that there were no additional positive cases following the 17 cases reported this morning. South Australians have done brilliantly so far and if we all continue to follow the advice of the experts at SA Health and get tested, let’s hope these restrictions won’t last too long.
Today, we’ve also seen changes to border restrictions for travellers from SA. While there are currently no changes to the Victoria and New South Wales borders, other jurisdictions have closed, or will close their borders tonight. Any travellers from SA to Northern Territory, Tasmania, Queensland and Western Australia will need to quarantine on arrival.
The changes also impact the events sector. All COVID Management Plans are now on hold or cancelled for the next two weeks.
As we have throughout the pandemic, the SATC is constantly evolving and adapting our plans as circumstances change, and that is what we are doing now.
I remind operators of the importance of prevention and control of the spread of COVID-19, and encourage you to re-familiarise yourselves with your COVID Safe Plans and the responsibilities of the COVID Marshal/s in your business.
I also encourage you to stay up-to-date on the latest information and advice from SA Health.
For information about the “Parafield Cluster”, including a full list of today’s advice and changes to directions in South Australia, see covid-19.sa.gov.au.
I will keep you updated.
Rodney Harrex
Chief executive