Lockdown in SA – event updates & business support

It is an incredibly tough time for our industry and our state, with today’s announcement of a seven-day snap lockdown in South Australia.

The impact is not lost on me, I have been on the phone to many operators and event organisers since the Level 4 restrictions were imposed yesterday, hearing directly what it means for their business.

The ‘Stay at Home’ order will see all non-essential businesses closed and there have been immediate impacts on our managed and sponsored events, such as Tasting Australia Winter Series, Illuminate Adelaide, and Winter Reds, as well as our Great State Voucher scheme.

People currently traveling in our state are advised to get to a location where they can spend the next seven days by 6pm tonight – but to do so safely. As long as they can demonstrate reasonable action to comply with restrictions, I've been advised that SAPOL will be very considered. We have also heard that some travelers may also choose to stay on in-region to complete the lockdown. For details of COVID-19 restrictions in SA, see covid-19.sa.gov.au.

We are expecting more details of the Federal Government’s lockdown support scheme, which has been offered to other states going through similar restrictions – with more information expected over the next 24 hours.

The Premier Steven Marshall has also confirmed that the South Australian Government is looking at additional support for small businesses – more information will be provided on this as soon as possible.

One thing we know from having been here before, is that South Australians remain eager to see our state and as soon as we’re out of this, tourism in our state will quickly build up again.

We will continue to work closely with industry, helping to reschedule events, listen to feedback about where support is most needed, and roll-out stimulus like our Great State Voucher scheme wherever we can – pulling the levers to get businesses back to business as soon as it is safe to do so.

If you have questions or feedback, please feel free to reply to this email.

Read on for updates about what we know so far.

Stay safe and look after yourselves and one another.

Rodney Harrex
Chief Executive 

Illuminate Adelaide

Following the introduction of Level 4 restrictions yesterday, all free and ticketed events as part of the Illuminate Adelaide program have been paused.  

It is hoped the program will be able to restart when restrictions are lifted, and organisers have been working closely with SA Health.

Ticket holders are being contacted by organisers, and we support them in their message to ticket holders to encourage them to hold onto their booking in the hope the program will restart soon.

More information: illuminateadelaide.com

Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel – Winter Series

Events scheduled during the next seven days as part of the Tasting Australia Winter Series program will not go ahead.

The SATC, through Events South Australia, is working with operators of venues which were holding these events – to reschedule to a later date, or cancel where that is not possible.

All impacted ticket holders will receive an email (or have already) with details related to their event and refund processes.

On behalf of the Tasting Australia team, thank you to everyone for getting behind this event and our state’s world-class hospitality industry. Any event queries, please contact [email protected].

Winter Reds

The Winter Reds festival in the Adelaide Hills, which was scheduled for 23-25 July, will not go ahead.

Event organisers are hoping to be able to reschedule the event to a later date and ask ticket holders to be patient.

The SATC is working with Adelaide Hills Wine to assist with the possible rescheduling of what is a sensational regional event, supported through our Regional Event Fund.

For more information: adelaidehillswine.com.au

Great State Vouchers – upcoming bookings with accommodation and experience providers

We are contacting operators and consumers with an upcoming Great State Voucher booking to provide information about how to reschedule their booking to a later date. This applies to both tour and experience operators as part of round three, as well as accommodation providers as part of round four.

Our message is for consumers to reschedule – and not cancel – to ensure this key stimulus is still provided to our industry. At this stage, bookings can be rescheduled up until the end of August, but we will continue to monitor and reassess this as needed.

If you have any questions about a booking made through the Great State Voucher scheme, please feel free to contact the team at:

Tour or experience voucher bookings – [email protected] 

Accommodation voucher bookings – [email protected]

See the full Industry Update – 20 July 2021 here.