HEADING to your local for a beer or wine will be allowed again from next week, with pubs given permission to open for up to 80 patrons.
Premier Steven Marshall announced on Monday a range of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions would be lifted on Monday, a week earlier than first anticipated.
As a result, pubs and restaurants will be able to welcome up to 80 patrons and can serve alcohol without a meal.
Patrons will need to be separated into four distinct spaces with 20 people inside however, meaning some venues will not be allowed to take in 80 people.
During the announcement of the relaxed restrictions, SA police commissioner Grant Stevens indicated establishments may be able to make use of temporary walls to create adequate discrete spaces to reach full capacity.
Social distancing measures will also be enforced and venues will need follow State Government guidelines and provide police with proof of compliance upon request.
The announcement came off the back of Mr Marshall announcing on Friday afternoon pubs would fall under the same rules as other restaurants, with 20 people total allowed for food.
The Exchange Hotel publican Damian McGee welcomed the announcement, but said his business lacked the time to turnaround and open by Monday.
Instead, the 152-year-old institution plans to open on Wednesday, June 3.
“The ability for pubs to be nimble during this time is really important,” he said.
“Those hotels that can turn around all their regimes and close down and reopen faster are going to be well suited to this time.
“I was pleasantly surprised at first, but then it dawned that there is much work to do to ensure we can open to the public to the standards which we want in time.
“We’re also looking forward to further announcements on June 25 relating to further increases to capacity for larger hotels like ours. And also the inclusion of gaming.”
The 80-person limit for pubs and restaurants excludes the establishment’s staff, with all food and drink to be served via table service.
During Monday’s announcement, commissioner Stevens said while initial virus restrictions relied on enforcement and closures, the next phases would rely on the public following rules.
“Our patrols were out (from Friday night) checking on compliance, as we have done with every other aspect of these restrictions,” he said.
“Once again, the level of compliance was impressive and significant. It was good to see that people are embracing these changes as they’re being released and doing their very best to comply with those directions which were in place.
“Some people get it wrong. But we’ve also found that when we point out the inconsistencies within their practice in accordance with directions, there is a strong will to get it right.
“In times of heavy restriction, non-compliance stood out quite substantially. But as we release things, we are relying on the good will of the community.”
Economic boost expected as businesses reopen early
GYMS, cinemas, places of worship and beauty salons will be allowed to open from Monday with a maximum of 80 people inside, after the next phase of easing COVID-19 pandemic restrictions was brought forward once again.
Outdoor contact sport training, such as for football, soccer and netball, is also permitted to start on Monday, with outdoor non-contact sport competition allowed to kick off the same day.
Like the new rules for pubs and restaurants, people visiting these businesses will be required to still follow social distancing guidelines, including ensuring people remain 1.5m apart and providing four-square-metres of space per person.
Premier Steven Marshall announced the acceleration of a number of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on Monday, bringing forward a range of changes initially scheduled for June 8.
He said “thousands of jobs” would be reactivated from Monday.
“This is great news for South Australians and South Australian businesses,” he said.
“Thanks to our state’s world-leading response to the threat of COVID-19, we are now in a position to give many more South Australian businesses a head start, and with potentially four times the capacity as to what was first flagged in our initial roadmap.
“Thousands of jobs throughout our state will now potentially be reactivated earlier and in greater numbers, fast-tracking our economic road to recovery in a safe and responsible way.
“This pandemic has always been a crisis on two fronts, health and economic, and we are committed to shielding South Australians through both.”
In addition to more businesses opening their doors, private gatherings at homes will be allowed to increase in size from 10 to 20 people.
SA police will continue monitoring and enforcing social distancing measures and will be conducting random checks to ensure all regulations are being followed.
Health minister Stephen Wade said it was important to continue to follow health advice to “ensure there are no obstacles on the road to health and economic recovery”.
“This is an important step supporting the wellbeing of South Australians who will now be able to participate in many of the activities they have not been able to enjoy since the pandemic struck,” he said.
“It will also ease anxiety for businesses and employees within the industries impacted.”