State eases coronavirus restrictions early by letting more people into pubs

25 May 2020 at 3:20 am·2-min read

South Australia will bring forward the next stage of lifting COVID-19 restrictions, allowing cinemas, beauty salons and gyms to reopen, and large venues to accommodate 80 people.

Premier Steven Marshall said the state's second phase would no longer begin on June 5, but be brought forward to next Monday, June 1.

Outlining the elements of stage-two restrictions, Mr Marshall said the one person per four-square-metre and 1.5-metre social distancing rules would remain.

"These great results give us confidence to gradually and carefully lift the restrictions and get us back to normality," he said.

A stock image of friends enjoying a drink at a bar. South Australians will be able to enjoy groups of 20 at pubs. — South Australians will be able to enjoy groups of 20 at pubs, with larger venues at a new maximum of 80 from June 1. Source: Getty Images, file

"It's only possible because of the low or no results and high level of testing.

"If it continues, it opens up a world of possibilities of when and what (restrictions) we'll be able to remove in the future."

Stage two will see cinemas, theatres, museums, beauty salons, gyms and indoor fitness centres reopen.

While smaller businesses will have a maximum of 20 customers, larger venues, like pubs, have been authorised to have 80 people as long as they are accommodated in separate areas or rooms.

Alcohol can also be served without a meal only to seated patrons.

As of June 1, the maximum number of people attending funerals will increase to 50.

Training for contact and non-contact outdoor sports will also begin next Monday, with outdoor competitions and training for indoor sports commencing late next month.

Mr Marshall said it was compulsory for all venues to complete forms related to the principals-based approach, which must be produced during SA Health or police inspections.

"We're trusting the community, the businesses, the people to do the right thing," he said.

South Australian Premier Steven Marshall speaks to the media. — South Australian Premier Steven Marshall told the media on Monday he's pleased by the state's COVID testing results. Source: AAP

"We've been extraordinarily well-served to date and we have no reason to believe it won't continue in the future."

There were no new infections reported on Monday, with the states tally remaining at 439.

Over the past 33 days, SA had only one confirmed case.

There have been more than 90,000 tests conducted since February.

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