INDUSTRY UPDATE

Good afternoon,

Ahead of the early arrival of Step 2 easing of COVID-19 restrictions next Monday, I wanted to share with you that the COVID-Safe Plan is now available for businesses to complete.

The COVID-Safe Plan is a requirement for businesses reopening after COVID-19 restrictions – any business which was previously directed to close must complete a COVID-Safe Plan before they can reopen. This includes businesses which were allowed to reopen during Step 1 of South Australia’s Roadmap to Recovery – you must complete the Plan before 1 June.

The COVID-Safe Plan is designed to capture how you, your staff and your patrons can be kept safe from the risk of COVID-19 and it must be made available at your business premises.

What you need to do:

1. Go to Create your COVID-Safe Plan (available via covid-19.sa.gov.au) where you will find a link to access the form
2. Read the Principles for Step 2 changes and refer to advice from Safe Work Australia
3. Complete the COVID-Safe Plan by Monday 1 June outlining how your staff and patrons can be kept safe from COVID-19
4. Discuss your plan with staff, contractors and suppliers – share relevant details so they know what they need to do
5. Implement the steps you have agreed to as best as you can. Remember: the requirements on the Plan are obligations and a penalty can apply for non-compliance
6. Print your COVID-Safe Plan and make it available at your business premises.

It is also important you regularly review your Plan and make changes as required. I urge you to create a Plan as soon as possible and certainly, by the 1 June deadline. Even those businesses that are not required to complete a COVID-Safe Plan (i.e. those that were not previously directed to close) are encouraged to complete a Plan to help protect the health of the South Australian community.

Helpful links:

• Step 2 frequently asked questions – this includes details for restaurants, cafes, wineries (including information about tastings at cellar doors), pubs, breweries, bars, cinemas, theatres, galleries and museums
• Guidance on completing and implementing your COVID-Safe Plan – FAQ.

The principles-based approach which has been announced as part of Step 2 is based on available medical evidence. Although South Australia has done a fantastic job at limiting the spread of COVID-19, these principles play an important role in ensuring we can maintain this record and hopefully, help to ensure an easier transition to Step 3.

You can see the updated South Australian Roadmap to Recovery here.

I also want to clarify the position for wineries and cellar doors, following Monday's Industry Update. As the Step 2 frequently asked questions details, from 1 June, wineries are able to open to a maximum of 80 patrons across all dining areas whether enclosed or outdoors with a maximum of 20 in each dining area; and alcohol can be served without food. In addition, cellar doors can open for wine tasting (maximum 20 people in any single room) – however, wine must be consumed while seated at tables that are physically separate from any bar or other area that is used for taking orders. People present must not exceed more than 1 person per 4 square metres and the 1.5 metres social distancing must be adhered to.

I will continue to keep you updated as information comes to hand.

Rodney Harrex
Chief executive 

See the full Industry Update - 27 May 2020 here.