An update has been made to public activity restrictions in South Australia.
The Emergency Management (Public Activities No 6) (COVID-19) Direction 2020 has been revoked and replaced by the Emergency Management (Public Activities No 7) (COVID-19) Direction 2020. This new Direction comes into effect as of 0001 Friday 14 August 2020.
The new Direction provides an update to the restrictions currently in place for gatherings across South Australia and introduces the requirement of a COVID Marshal.
A gathering of 20 people at a residential premises (includes short term rental and houseboats) is a permitted gathering, providing that there are no more than 10 visitors (people who do not reside at the premises) at any one time. E.g. 6 people reside at the house which means 10 other people can visit, with a total of 16 people.
Gatherings at a private place (not a public place or residential premises) are now restricted to no more than 100 people regardless of whether they are indoor or outdoor. A private place may include a hall or a farm.
As of the 21 August 2020 a COVID Marshal is a person who must supervise prescribed operations.
A COVID Marshal must:
- Be 18 years of age or more;
- Complete the required training and keep records of the training to provide to an authorised officer on request; and
- Take reasonable steps to visually identify as a COVID Marshal.
A COVID Marshal is required to:
- Promote and take practical steps to ensure infection control practices (e.g. frequent handwashing) are followed by people involved in the operations (patrons, employees and contractors);
- Promote and take practical steps to ensure people participating in the operations are complying with density requirements, physical distancing principle;
- Must ensure that all COVID Safe Plans and COVID Management Plans (where relevant) or specific polices/protocols in relation to the prevention of coronavirus are effectively implemented and monitored;
- Ensure the environment is appropriately established and there is sufficient seating, hand washing facilities and cleaning regimes; and
- Be present supervising prescribed operations at all times (except with respect to 24 hour sites where staff are not always present, at all times of high patronage).
A COVID Marshal is required for the following prescribed operations:
- The onsite purchase and consumption of food or beverages (indoor and outdoor);
- Ceremonies;
- Supermarkets;
- Hardware stores;
- Distribution centres (including associated transport operations);
- Gymnasiums and fitness centres;
- Swimming pools used by the public;
- Social and sporting clubs;
- Any activity where a COVID Management Plan is required; and
- Any operation which may be defined by the state coordinator.
If more than 200 people are expected to be present at an prescribed operation a COVID Marshal who is supervising must have no other duties. You can have more than one prescribed COVID Marshal.
Where the place is used by different people it is the responsibility of the owner or person with care/control/management of the place to ensure that it is supervised by a COVID Marshal.
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
If you require further information you can 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
