New Restrictions Have Been Introduced For South Australia; Here's What It Means For Venues

Additional restrictions have been announced in South Australia following a COVID-19 outbreak in the state this week. 

The outbreak, named the Parafield cluster, has now grown to 20 cases and sees the state add extra precautions to reduce spread. 

These restrictions extend to the hospitality and live entertainment venues, with new capacity guidelines announced as part of the "Restricted Businesses" plan. 

Entertainment venues can now have "a maximum of 1 person per 4 sqm" with these spaces defined as cinemas, theatres or live performance/concert venues, zoos and animal parks, and galleries, museums and historic sites.

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Additionally, the plan states that "activities planned with an approved COVID Management Plan scheduled before 1 December cannot go ahead".

Hospitality venues have also been affected with "attendance at pubs, clubs and restaurants is capped at 100 people per venue, with density requirements of 1 person per 4 sqm total, and no vertical (standing) consumption indoors or outdoors," and that "there is a maximum booking size of 10 people per group, with seated dining only". 

Further to this, "gatherings at licensed venues will be capped at 50 people, with density requirements of 1 person per 4 sqm and no vertical (standing) consumption".

In June, it was announced that venues could have "the maximum number of members of the public in any single room or enclosed area must not exceed 1 person per 2 sqm" so it's a case-by-case basis. 

There is currently no timeline in place for when these new restrictions will be eased. 

For more information, head to the South Australian Government website here.