LIMESTONE Coast Police will ramp up compliance checks on businesses in the region to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in South Australia.
It follows an update to public activity restrictions yesterday, which reinforced the requirement for some businesses to have an approved COVID management plan.
A COVID management plan must be submitted for “a defined public activity, meeting or prescribed gathering” and approved before the activity is conducted.
Limestone Coast Police acting officer in charge Inspector Campbell Hill said there would be a heavy emphasis on the compliance of those businesses moving forward.
“Any business that is trading needs to have a COVID management plan and we have identified there are a significant number of businesses without a plan,” he said.
“The biggest risk if for those businesses who are blatantly disregarding the requirement to have a plan and the responses from us will range from education and cautions, to closure of businesses and fines.”
However, Insp Hill said police would work with and educate businesses particularly licensed premises – so they could continue to operate in the current landscape.
“We are identifying the risk for people that are going to be in highdensity venues and common sense tells us that will be licensed premises and venues that trade in food and beverages,” he said.
“We want to see our businesses continue to move forward and progress with trade but they really do need to take the time and give the due consideration required under the directions.”
With the virus continuing to spread throughout Victoria with a further 295 new cases recorded yesterday, Insp Hill said they remain on high alert to prevent the virus spreading into the Limestone Coast.
“There is a rate of movement of the virus in Western Victoria so we are not naive to the fact that it is literally at the door-step,” he said.
“Our warning is pretty clear – we will be embarking on compliance checking because our focus remains on the safety of the community.”
It is not only businesses that will be monitored, with the individuals who are required to self-quarantine still under the microscope.
This was highlighted by the detection of a 62-year-old Limestone Coast man on Tuesday who was not complying with self-isolation requirements when returning from interstate to South Australia.
He was issued with a $1060 fine and provided with further directions to self-isolate.
Insp Hill said any members of the public who are confused about their obligations should visit the South Australian Government website.
“The declarations, the legislation and the frequently asked questions are all on sa.gov.au” he said.
“The high volume of phone calls that our police stations are receiving, a lot of the questions are answered on that website and we would urge people to check first.”
BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS
An approved COVID-19
Management Plan is required for
• A defined public activity (excluding personal care services, auctions and inspections for sale or rental, provision of recreational transport or driver instruction) exceeding 1000 people (excluding staff) at a business, venue, activity or gathering.
• The onsite purchase or consumption of food or beverages at a place if expected to exceed 1000 people.
• Any ‘relevant licensed premises’ (other than a night club) exceeding 1000 people, at which dancing and consumption of alcohol is facilitated, where any part of the premises is used for the purpose of playing loud, amplified music and dancing
• Where the entertainment is of a sexually explicit nature.
• Any nightclub.
Defined public activites can be found at sa.gov.au
