Dancing and singing likely won’t be allowed at ‘high-risk’ functions such as weddings for months

The wedding industry had no love for the declaration by SA health that dancing would be considered too dangerous for months to come.

A ban on dancing at public venues and weddings is likely to stay in force for several months until South Australia meets its 80 per cent jab target, sparking fury from the hospitality sector over the “unfair” rules.

The transition committee yesterday recommended no changes to public restrictions or cross-border rules because of ongoing concerns about Delta spreading from NSW, Victoria and ACT.

Covid-19 chiefs forecast no changes to “high-risk” activities, such as dancing or singing at public events and venues, until later in the year. Industry leaders and hospitality chiefs called for a review of the rules.

Wedding venue owners, who have suffered a spate of cancellations because of the dancing ban, said the next two months were looking dire and some businesses could close.

They also condemned a loophole that banned dancing in licensed venues while celebrations occurred in “dry-hire” venues where BYO alcohol and dancing is not policed.

A spokeswoman for more than 100 wedding venues and suppliers, Kelly Markos, said owners were desperately crying out for “consistent” rather than “unfair” restrictions.

“It seems like such a trivial problem but it is a serious issue now,” she said.

“For many couples, not dancing is the final nail in the coffin. They have been planning the perfect day for so long and they can't even celebrate.

“Instead they are just planning to go out for tea. People are happy to have 50 people they know and love if they can dance and celebrate.”

Last week, Police Commissioner Grant Stevens authorised a tripling of guests at weddings and private functions, from 50 people to 150 guests.

Based on a committee recommendation, Mr Stevens also allowed stand-up drinking at weddings, but dancing is restricted to the bridal party.

Speaking after yesterday’s committee meeting, Mr Stevens said advice from chief public health officer Nicola Spurrier after her consultation with the wedding industry was “quite well received”.

Police commissioner Grant Stevens and chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier have downplayed any changes to public directions that involve dancing at weddings for weeks. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

“Although we do acknowledge that there are still people out there who would like to see relaxation in relation to the rules about dancing,” he said.

Sources said venue owners did not request a boost in the number of guests at weddings, but instead called for a return to dancing and uniform rules.

Industry sources said multiple weddings were held in dry-hire venues at the weekend. Senior police have raised concerns that checking such venues posed significant patrol challenges.

Australian Hotels Association SA chief executive Ian Horne said current bans also hurt live music venues.

“They still have dancing in WA and NT and some levels in Queensland, but I am trying to work out why it is different in SA,” he said.

West End Association president Andrew Wallace said many nightclub operators were “finding this difficult”.

“They find it very hard to understand why they can’t have dancing, even with masks perhaps, when you can have footy crowds,” he said.

Professor Spurrier warned a “brake” was needed on some high-risk activities at potential “super-spreading” functions.

“These are the things that we have put aside to be thinking about when our community has a much higher vaccination rate,” she said.

Modelling predicts 70 per cent of South Australians older than 16 will be fully vaccinated by November and 80 per cent by December.

Currently 40 per cent of adults are fully vaccinated against coronavirus.

Mr Stevens committed to reviewing all public directions each week, based on current health and economic advice.

However, he said Prof Spurrier’s comment about only easing Covid restrictions when vaccinations rate were higher was “not an unreasonable forecast”

“But we’re committed to reviewing these directions every time the transition committee meets and taking on board the current state of play in South Australia and interstate when we make those decisions,” he said. “So whilst that may be a forecast, that doesn’t mean that’s off the table for consideration every time we meet.”

He said authorities would watch interstate developments this week before possibly lifting South East Queensland border rules.

Meanwhile, an infectious child and her mother were flown from Broken Hill to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital so the girl could get treatment for a non-Covid illness.