Coronavirus: SA nightclubs on brink as COVID-19 dancing and drinking fury rises
Some nightclubs face going bust because of new coronavirus rule delays, industry leaders warn, as anger grows about bans around drinks and dancefloors.
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Some nightclubs face going bust because of new delays to coronavirus rules, industry leaders warn, as authorities grapple with how licensed venues can safely reopen dance floors and serve alcohol.
The Advertiser this week revealed angry venue operators faced a minimum fortnight wait for SA Health approval of special COVID-19 “management plans” allowing dancing and alcohol service at the same time. But licensed venues, such as nightclubs and those hosting weddings, now face longer delays.
Police also say investigators will be “focusing their attention” on night spots this weekend to ensure they are following the rules.
Some clubs have decided to remain closed but those opening will only serve alcohol.
Police issued a legal notice on Thursday to North Tce club, The Fat Controller, to stop drinking revellers dancing or risk fines of up to $75,000.
Club director Andres Donoso was ordered to either stop serving alcohol, allow patrons to dance, or continue to serve drinks and stop people from dancing.
He chose to keep serving alcohol.
“Not only is it frustrating but it is an incredibly bad look for our business to have police attend and issue an official direction warning,” Mr Donoso said.
“If different police are to visit, how can we be certain they will not interpret it differently?”
He said a lack of government urgency to provide guidelines and approval of management plans was also “outrageous”.
“I am very concerned we and others alike will be fined, or even worse, closed down,” he said.
“We need immediate proactive action and not a reactive government.”
SA Health documents obtained by The Advertiser reveal the management plans now “may take several weeks from submission to final approval”.
The fact sheet, updated on Friday without industry input, states rather than imposing “impractical or unsuitable” universal rules, operators can show how to manage risks that “makes sense for their site”.
Australian Hotels Association SA general manager Ian Horne said the delays “will send some of these people bust”.
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He urged authorities to address industry concerns as a “priority”.
“Many of these clubs are owner-operated and it is crippling for them,” he said.
Clubs SA chief executive Mike Penfold said many of its 1300 members, especially in regional areas, were frustrated.
“It is difficult to understand how this could not be reasonably regulated, particularly at the community and sports club level,” he said.
Police Commissioner and state co-ordinator Grant Stevens said while he understood the frustrations, high-risk venues had until recently faced possible closure for months.
“To be able to announce that they are able to open, subject to the submission of a management plan, is a great step forward,” he said.