The stand-up consumption of alcohol has been scrapped, the one-person-per-4sqm rule is reinstated, and hospitality venues are now capped at 100 people.

SPECIAL REPORT: COVID-19 ADELAIDE

Update: New restrictions have been announced since this article was published. See our updated story here. Keep an eye on InDaily for updates and visit SA Health for more information relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Premier Steven Marshall announced at a press conference on Monday that as of 00:00 Tuesday, 17 November, a new set of restrictions will be introduced in South Australia, and are likely to last for at least two weeks.

This news follows the South Australian coronavirus outbreak dubbed the Parafield cluster, responsible for 17 confirmed coronavirus cases, as of 5pm Monday, 16 November.

The new restrictions are as follows:

Hospitality venues, such as pubs and restaurants, are now capped at 100 people, and can only have one patron per four square metres. There can be no stand-up consumption of alcohol in these venues, even in outdoor areas, and there can only be bookings of a maximum of 10 people.

Private gatherings within licensed venues are now capped at 50 people, or one person per four square metres.

Entertainment venues, theatres and cinemas will have to abide by the one-person-per-four-square-metres rule.

There are no changes to the current restrictions on weddings, with up to 150 guests allowed, so long as the entire guest list is registered with the Communicable Disease Control Branch.

Additionally, “All activities with an approved COVID management plan scheduled for the next two weeks have been cancelled,” the Premier said.

Outside of the hospitality sector, the businesses hardest hit by the new restrictions are gyms, recreational centres and trampoline and play cafés, which have been ordered to close.

Funerals are now capped at 50 people, and must observe the one-person-per-4sqm rule.

Churches are capped at 100 people, and also must observe the one-person-per-4sqm rule.

Community sport fixtures and trainings are temporarily cancelled, and this applies to indoor, outdoor, contact and non-contact sport.

Private residences are now capped at 10 people. This does not apply to residences with more than 10 people living in them, but they are not allowed any guests.

In tattoo studios and nail and hair salons, the “service providers” are now required to wear a mask. It is “encouraged” that the clients of these businesses wear masks, but not mandatory.

In aged care facilities, mask-wearing is mandatory “where physical distancing cannot be maintained.”

Schools will remain open.

In addition to the new rules imposed from midnight Monday, the Premier also advised that all South Australians should work from home where possible.

He also encouraged vulnerable people to stay at home and avoid having visitors.

The Premier also cautioned against unnecessary travel, and asked that South Australians wear masks in situations where it is not possible to physically distance, such as on public transport.

“We don’t want to keep these new and changed restrictions in place for one day longer than what we need to, but the health expert advice at the moment is very clear,” the Premier said.

“We are to act hard and early and keep these restrictions in place for [as short a] period of time as possible.

“I absolutely guarantee that we will get through this. I have already seen an enormous response from the people of South Australia, going out and getting tested before.”

SA Health has released information on locations in which the Parafield cluster of cases have travelled, and asks that anyone who has been to these locations monitor for symptoms and get tested as soon as any symptoms appear. You can see the list of locations here.

As always, anyone who develops coronavirus symptoms should get tested immediately. Find your nearest testing centre here.

This was not how many in the hospitality industry envisioned this week. Tuesday, 17 November had been flagged in many people’s diaries as the date South Australia’s hospitality sector might be delivered some welcome news with further easing of restrictions, so this is a particularly devastating development for these businesses.

Remember to stay safe, wash and sanitise your hands, wear a mask where you’re not able to physically distance, and support small businesses in the CBD and in your local community.