Packed Adelaide nightclub photos emerge as hefty fines handed down
Startling images of a nightclub and a hostel have emerged after police slapped the establishments with hefty fines for breaching coronavirus guidelines.
Over the weekend, South Australia Police checked 111 venues in metropolitan Adelaide to ensure compliance with health directives and two establishments were fined $5060.
On Monday, SA Police shared photos of an unnamed licensed venue, where little social distancing appeared to be observed in the enclosed space.
However other media outlets have reported the nightclub in the photos was Zhivago on Currie Street, with the venue supplying a statement to the ABC.
The statement from Zhivago's management said they would be contesting the fine, according to the national broadcaster, adding the venue had made “every endeavour" to ensure the health and well-being of patrons and staff.
The photos show patrons packed onto what appears to be the dance floor.
All “defined public activities” require businesses to have a density requirement of one person per two square metres. Nightclubs and licensed venues are deemed to be “defined public activities”.
Nightclubs are allowed to operate in South Australia, where the last confirmed case of coronavirus was reported on June 28. There are no active cases in the state.
Nightclubs in South Australia are required to complete a COVID Management Plan to have an operational dance floor and play loud, amplified music, according to SA Health.
The other business which was hit with a $5060 fine over the weekend was a backpackers’ hostel on Waymouth Street.
When police arrived at the venue about 8pm (local time) on Friday, it was determined the hostel did not have a COVIDSafe Plan and patrons were not physically distancing.
Travellers from Victoria self-quarantining at hostel
At the venue, police identified four people who had travelled from Victoria and had been self-quarantining at the hostel.
Officers liaised with SA Health and had the three men and one woman moved to another hotel to quarantine.
“The four have been COVID tested of which the results are yet unknown,” police said on Saturday and there had been no cases confirmed in SA on Sunday or Monday.
SA Police also revealed of the 111 venues which were checked over the weekend, 10 did not have a ‘COVIDSafe’ plan in place.
In addition to the hostel and nightclub getting a fine, another bar in Topham Mall was issued EMA directions.
“Police were pleased with the majority of businesses who were complying with directions but warn; businesses involved in a defined public activity must have a COVIDSafe Plan in place in order to trade,” SA Police said in a statement.
“If you have not completed a COVIDSafe Plan, do not have this available at your premises, or do not comply with current Directions, you can be fined up to $5000.”
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.
