Updated COVID-19 Directions 2020- Public Activities No 16, South Australia

An update has been made to the public activity restrictions in South Australia.

The Emergency Management (Public Activities No 15) (COVID-19) Direction 2020 has been revoked and replaced by the Emergency Management (Public Activities No 16) (COVID-19) Direction 2020. This new Direction comes into effect as of 12.01am Monday 14 December 2020.

This Direction has been amended to clarify the definition and requirements for private functions, weddings and funerals, requirements for a person to record their details when they participate in a Defined Public Activity or run a and the requirement to wear a mask. The contents of the previous Direction are largely still in place.

The following changes have been made to the Public Activities Direction in South Australia:

Density Requirements

The density requirements of 1 person per 2 square metres applies to all activities.

People must use their best endeavours to implement physical distancing and remain 1.5m from people they do not know.

Note- The occupier/owner of a place must calculate the density requirements based on the space available for members of the public to use for the defined activity (not including bathrooms etc). This does not include staff areas and staff who are working are not calculated in the capacity number.

Gathering Provisions

The following gathering provisions apply:

  • Private function at a licensed premises- 200 people maximum 1 person per 2 square metres
  • Private Gathering- 200 people maximum, 1 person per 2 square metres
  • Private residence- 50 people per house
  • Cinema, or a live theatre or performance venue with fixed seating- 50% of their standard capacity in patrons without masks or 75% of their standard capacity in patrons with masks.

Masks

Masks are only required to be worn in cinemas or live theatre or performance venues with fixed seating. Please note Health care settings and personal care settings only require mask to be worn until 23 December.

Indoor Play Centres, Amusement Parks and Arcades

Indoor play centres, amusement parks and arcades are now permitted to open.

COVID Marshal

COVID Marshals can now be 16 years or older. Please refer to the Direction for all COVID Marshal responsibilities.

Consumption of Food and Beverages

Food and beverages can be consumed standing or seated indoors and outdoors. 1 person per 2 square metres applies to all areas. Food can be consumed at the bar where there is no food preparation. Communal food and beverage stations are still not permitted.

Private Function

The following applies to invitation only events including a private function at relevant licensed premises only. The function must be in a designated area which has no public access and where possible separate bathroom facilities from the rest of the venue. If there are no separate bathroom facilities for the function, the venue must have a higher frequency of cleaning. The maximum number of people permitted to attend is 200 people and the density provision of 1 person per 2 square metres applies. Food and beverages must have no shared utensils but can be consumed while standing. Dancing is also permitted.

*IMPORTANT- The 200 people (including children and infants) attending the event must be the same 200 people for the entire duration of event.

Contact Tracing/ COVIDSAfe CheckIn

The approved contact tracing system is now required for all retail industry premises. This includes all businesses/premises which sell or hire goods or provide serviced for personal, household or business consumption and the customer is physically present. This includes all food and beverages for immediate consumption whether consumed on or off the premises.

A person attending a place to participate in a defined public activity must endeavour in all circumstances to ensure that their relevant contact details are captured by COVIDSAfe CheckIn or ScanTek in the first instance. If the technology does not work or the person is unable to upload their details they must provide their details to the venue operator and these details must be retained.

For more information visit: https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/business-and-work/covid-safe-check-in

Health Care, Residential Care, Disability Support or Aged Care Services

Masks must be worn up until 23 December 2020, in defined health care, residential care, and disability support or aged are services. Pharmacists have now been removed from the list and masks are not required to be work if attending a pharmacy. A full list of these services can be found in Schedule 2 of the Direction: https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/emergency-declarations/public-activities

Masks that cover a person’s nose and mouth are required to be worn in Health care, residential care, disability support or aged care services by all people including: care providers, patients, clients, residents, admin and other staff, employees, visitors, students, contractors and any other person when they are in the presence of other people.

Exceptions do apply and can be found in the Direction.

Public Assemblies

Public Assemblies have been included in the list of defined public activities. A public assembly is defined by the Public Assembly Act 1972 (SA).

It is acknowledged that many restrictions still apply, but they are critical in dealing with the spread of COVID-19.

All existing directions, frequently asked questions and other information can be found here: https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/emergency-declarations.

For further information please call the SA COVID-19 Information Line on 1800 253 787 between the hours of 9am to 5pm 7 days per week or go to the SA Health website at www.sahealth.sa.gov.au or www.sa.gov.au/covid-19

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