South Australia eases coronavirus rules on hospitality venues, as state records sixth day of no new infections

South Australia has eased social distancing requirements for hospitality venues and will assess next week whether further restrictions can be relaxed.

Guests at Cafe Palazzo restaurant enjoy a meal on in Adelaide in June this year.

Guests at Cafe Palazzo restaurant enjoy a meal on in Adelaide in June this year. Source: Getty Images AsiaPac

South Australia is easing coronavirus social distancing rules for hospitality despite contrary advice from the state's top health officer.

It was announced on Friday venues could transition from one person per four square metres to one person per two effective immediately.

SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said the decision was made by the state's transition committee despite Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier advising it should wait until next week.

"Given the economic implications, the impact on employment, the current time of the year, our current performance ... we endorse a one person per two square metre rule for hospitality," he said.
All other restrictions will remain in place, with a further assessment to occur next week.

South Australia has now gone six days in a row without recording a new case, leaving the total linked to the Parafield cluster at 33 cases with only seven considered active.

Commissioner Stevens said 275 people linked to the cluster remain in quarantine, after that figure peaked around 6000 at the height of the outbreak.

He said the take-up of QR codes, equating to about 1.1 million check-ins across the state, was a "game-changer" in terms of contact tracing.

"(This) has given us some confidence to manage the risk around this current response to the Parafield cluster," he said.
South Australian Police Commissioner Grant Stevens has urged people to steer clear of Black Lives Matter rallies.
South Australian Police Commissioner Grant Stevens Source: AAP
Commissioner Stevens said he was hopeful the state could further ease restrictions on 14 December as planned.

There have been calls for increased help for the hospitality sector after SA's brief lockdown and ongoing density limits.

A group of more than 100 hotel and restaurant workers gathered in Adelaide on Thursday to voice their concerns as the Labor opposition called on the government to provide grant support.

SA last lifted coronavirus measures on Tuesday when it also dropped all border restrictions with Victoria.

It is now open to travellers from all states and territories as well as those from New Zealand.

People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your jurisdiction's restrictions on gathering limits.

If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. News and information is available in 63 languages at 

Please check the relevant guidelines for your state or territory: 


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3 min read
Published 4 December 2020 11:24am
Updated 4 December 2020 12:09pm
Source: AAP, SBS



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