Business SA wants compensation for businesses affected by the statewide lockdown and faster action on opening back up

Serious COVID management failings have been exposed and have rocked confidence in SA’s leadership, angry business lobbyists say.

Business SA chief executive Martin Haese has come out swinging, saying the statewide lockdown “exposed serious failings in the state’s COVID-19 management’’ and business owners have been “let down''.

The state’s peak business organisation is calling for compensation for affected businesses, and a faster return to business as normal.

Mr Haese said regional businesses should be able to revert to the setting in place before the Parafield cluster emerged, including the rule that they be able to have one person per two square metres on a premises.

They are also asking for:

■ Greater metropolitan Adelaide to move to eased restrictions at midnight tonight, not tomorrow night (Saturday);

■ For the new restrictions coming into force to end on Wednesday or sooner;

■ A compensation package for businesses who have suffered measurable financial loss during the three-day shutdown, such as food wastage;

■ A City Rescue package.

Details of the changes to restrictions are available in this story.

Mr Haese said “a single lie cannot bring a state’s economy to its knees’’.

“To say this week has been a rollercoaster ride for South Australian business owners would be a gross understatement,” he said.

“This is a cluster thud. A three-day shutdown of the entire state will cost businesses many millions of dollars.

“Businesses have worn the cost of this lockdown, but Business SA is calling on the government to bring forward pre-Parafield Gardens cluster restrictions as soon as possible.”

Business SA’s Martin Haese wants assistance for businesses affected by the statewide shutdown.

Property Council of Australia SA executive director Daniel Gannon said there would naturally be a debate about whether the lockdown was an over-reaction, but with the knowledge to and at the time, “we said it was tough but necessary’’.

“While the lockdown has caused disruption to our business and personal lives, authorities were acting on what they considered to be the best information available to them,’’ Mr Gannon said.

“Let’s be clear. It is the profound recklessness of one individual who has caused this upheaval, while the State Government was determined to prevent another Victorian-style outbreak.

“It just goes to reinforce our collective responsibility in doing the right thing as we continue to fight this global pandemic.’’

The Property Council’s Daniel Gannon says South Australians did the right thing when asked.

Master Builders Association SA policy director Will Frogley said it had been a stressful times for many builders, tradies and suppliers.

“It’s obviously created a lot of angst, but the main thing now is that we have some certainty and the industry can focus on getting back to work and helping the economy move forward.

“Because there was no notice of the lockdown it means everyone had to leave their sites suddenly which has created issues for some projects.

“Even though the lockdown will only be a couple of days, it has created significant disruption to the industry.’’

Australian Hotels Association (SA) chief executive Ian Horne described the situation as an “economic catastrophe” with the owners, operators and employees carrying the greatest cost.

“Our industry is losing faith in the process and decision-making which is done in isolation from any advice from affected industries,” Mr Horne said.

“Why are we waiting until midnight Saturday night, why not allow those that can open tomorrow morning? Why are we locked in at 25 per cent capacity when we had 50 per cent last week? It makes no sense.

“SA’s reputation and advantage as the safest jurisdiction in the nation has been greatly diminished.”