Following an announcement from the Premier late last week, any business in South Australia with a liquor licence can now reopen for seated dining, up to 10 people inside plus 10 outside.
The late press conference followed decision earlier the same day to allow restaurants to open, but a fierce backlash from industries and businesses highlighted confusion as dozens of premises were ordered to close their doors again.
Premier Steven Marshall and Police Commissioner Grant Stevens subsequently announced the change in policy to say any business with a liquor licence could serve alcohol with a meal, including pubs, clubs and bars.
It means over 4,300 venues can begin reopening, with around 2,600 venues two weeks earlier than expected, previously slated for 5 June. The Premier explained the change came about for several reasons.
“Diners don’t really know what licence an individual establishment has,” Marshall said, but what had also changed was “continued good results” in measures to contain the spread of the virus.
The SA Government had committed to a bespoke solution for more operators at 5 June in its attempt to strike the right balance between public safety and the survival of businesses. This date had already been brought forward from 8 June, after the AHA | SA argued it did not make sense to open at the end of the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.
South Australian hoteliers have reported existential crisis’ in line with pubs across the country, particularly where venues are underpinned by tourism-driven accommodation offerings.
SA stalwart publican Peter Hurley’s portfolio includes the big Arkaba Hotel and Marion Hotel, with more than 120 rooms between them. The closed state borders have decimated the occupancy rates, finding 20-50 per cent of regular occupation.
The group employs 700 staff, and of these 100 were not eligible for JobKeeper and join their employer hoping things will resume sooner rather than later.
As trading does begin the requirements for venues going forward is still unclear, although Commissioner Stevens says they are developing protocols for businesses to adopt, and importantly that the rules won’t be one-size-fits-all. This has widely been seen as a relief, particularly for larger venues.
High levels of testing continue in the State, approaching two thousand tests per day, but Andrews stressed people may be incorrectly thinking there is no longer any danger and warned “We haven’t beaten the coronavirus”.
SA Health has detected only one new case of COVID-19 in the State in the past 30 days, and none in more than two weeks.
New South Wales made the surprise announcement Friday to ease restrictions ahead of schedule, and while spurring on South Australia it has also influenced Queensland.
The Restaurant and Catering Australia submitted a COVIDSafe Plan to the Queensland Government proposing pubs and restaurants soon be able to serve 50 patrons, being a significant acceleration on existing plans to allow 20 patrons by 12 June.
Approval of the proposal is currently under review by health authorities.
