THE State Government will give greater clarity on stage three COVID19 restrictions this Friday amid growing pressure to allow greater numbers into hospitality venues.
Premier Steven Marshall said low COVID-19 case numbers and high testing rates would “open up a world of possibilities”.
“South Australia can look forward to further easing of restrictions going forward,” Mr Marshall said.
Mr Marshall also announced that from July 3 up to 500 spectators would be allowed at community football matches across the state, provided there is no COVID-19 outbreak.
His comments come as Member for Barker Tony Pasin throws his weight behind the need to further ease COVID-19 impediments facing the business sector.
“At a state level, I would like to see restrictions on businesses further eased to get our economy moving,” Mr Pasin said.
The Liberal MP said the suite of existing programs – including JobKeeper and JobSeeker – were helping to cushion the region’s economy.
He revealed Treasury estimates suggested the unemployment rate would be 5pc higher in the Limestone Coast if these measures had not been implemented.
“I have no doubt that without these stimulus measures the Limestone Coast economy would have been hit much harder,” Mr Pasin said.
He said the Federal Government was focused on delivering jobs.
“The Federal Government is rolling out a number of targeted economic stimulus packages to bolster economic activity, most recently the Home Builder program,” Mr Pasin said.
“This is great news for not only the residential construction industry in the Limestone Coast but also our local timber industry,” Mr Pasin said.
“I’m also getting a lot of positive feedback from small business in the Limestone Coast following the announcement that we will extend the $150,000 instant asset write-off for six months.”
Meanwhile, Mr Marshall said yesterday the Limestone Coast community would have a clear picture of the roadway ahead this Friday.
The premier and the state’s transition committee yesterday gave the green light to a 2000 crowd at this weekend’s AFL South Australian showdown at Adelaide Oval.
“It will be a small crowd, but it is a start. South Australia can look forward to further easing of restrictions going forward,” Mr Marshall said.
“I know people are very keen to have spectators back at the sport right across South Australia.”
He said the community could look forward to further relief between stages and more clarity in regards to stage three.
“Football and crowds are back in South Australia, but of course it has to start slowly, gradually and has to be done safely,” Mr Marshall said.
“I think people are looking for clarity. By the time we get to Friday, it will be almost two weeks into stage two. People have understood the restrictions in stage two and have abided by those restrictions.”
Mr Marshall said the state was having good results of low or no new reports of people being affected by the coronavirus.
“I think today (yesterday) would be two weeks since the last confirmed case of coronavirus in South Australia,” he added.
Importantly, Mr Marshall said the testing numbers remain high.
“Last week was a record week for us in terms of testing,” he said.
“We have been very, very concerned about people becoming complacent. But what we are see is that people are going off and being tested.”
He said this demonstrated the community were navigating through the transition period and were not being complacent.
“They are doing the right thing. While the testing rates remain high and we have low numbers, it opens up the world of possibilities.”
Mr Marshall said the government would provide more details on stage three, which included the starting date.
He said more detail would also given about the easing of state border restrictions.
“We also want to provide more detail in regards to larger venues which relate to hospitality but also relate to churches in South Australia,” Mr Marshall said.
“This is a very busy week for the transition committee. It is a hardworking committee that takes into account all of the various information that is available.
“This is a tough task, we are asking this committee to give clarity to the people of South Australia and predict what the level of infections will be in two, three weeks’ time.
“That is a very difficult task.”
