Police Commissioner Grant Stevens announces Covid restrictions to change from March 12

For the first time in two years density restrictions will be scrapped as singing and dancing return. But the news is not so bright for close contacts.

Density restrictions in hospitality venues and at home will be scrapped for the first time in almost two years and the state’s ban on singing and dancing has also been lifted.

Isolation requirements for some Covid-positive patients have also been reduced, from 10 to seven days. SA Health will contact affected patients.

But the announcement has sparked confusion for some, as in some cases, close contacts would isolate for double the time as an infected person.

Current rules see close contacts isolate for seven days after exposure to a Covid infectious person, or 14 days if you live with the person and can’t appropriately isolate.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens acknowledged that the current rules made it difficult for families, as children with Covid would be out of quarantine after seven days, but close contact parents without Covid would have to wait the full 14 days.

He said the additional time was on the basis of someone contracting the virus at the end of the seven days.

“I’m the first person to acknowledge that these changes or restrictions have a significant impact on individuals and families, but it’s simply the reality of having to deal with a virus that is highly infectious,” Mr Stevens said on ABC Radio Adelaide on Friday.

“These are the things that are being discussed next week with Professor Spurrier, whether there’s changes we can make to make it easier for people.”

Natasha, with her daughter Ruby, 2, on day 6 of quarantine at home. Picture: Matt Loxton

A raft of changes will come into effect at 12.01am on Saturday morning regarding Covid in SA.

There will be no caps at house and hospitality venues, and the state’s ban on singing and dancing will lift.

QR codes will no longer be required for recreational transport, public transport, auction and inspection of properties for sale or rent, taxis and rideshare and education facilities. They will be required for other public activities.

Mr Stevens announced the changes at a press conference following a Covid ready committee meeting on Thursday.

“It is good to be able to stand here and provide this much sought after relief to a wide range of activities right across the Australian including hospitality,” he said.

“We certainly understand the pressures that a whole range of sectors have been under because of the restrictions in South Australia.”

Hospo Owners Collective co-founder Simone Douglas said the news left her shell-shocked.

“We’ve been waiting for more than 700 days to run a business, just as a normal business. I’ve almost forgot what that’s like,” she said.

“I’m happy that I can finally hang up the boxing gloves; it’s been a really tough journey.”

She said Adelaide was in for a “cracker” of a long weekend.

“I expect venues to be having massive dance parties from 12:01am Saturday, there will probably be countdown clocks in some places,” she said.

While isolation for most people with Covid will be reduced from 10 to seven days, Mr Stevens said it would depend on a number of factors.

“There will be certain groups of people who still need to seek specific advice from us,” he said.

Natasha has been in isolation since February 28 when her two-year-old daughter, Ruby, contracted Covid-19.

Natasha caught the virus a few days later, and welcomed news that isolation time will be shorter.

“We are so happy the isolation time has dropped to seven days,” Natasha said.

“Being in isolation with a toddler for up to two weeks is extra stressful because they do not understand why we can’t leave the house.”

While Covid-19 cases have increased in the past week, Mr Stevens said Adelaide’s Mad March activities had not raised hospitalisations greatly, which provided reassurance for the committee to push ahead with a further easing of restrictions.

“People are feeling very positive about how South Australia sits in relation to Covid-19,” Mr Stevens said.

South Australian Police Commissioner Grant Stevens. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

“I am hopeful that we can continue down this current path.”

Mr Stevens said mask rules would not change at this stage.

“People are fed up with masks but it is the first line of defence in a pandemic – if you have contact with vulnerable people, the most sensible thing you can do is wear a mask,” he said.

The Covid Ready Committee has been meeting once a fortnight to discuss restrictions, but Mr Stevens said they will come together to discuss more changes next week, just days before the state election.

Despite the easing of restrictions, Mr Stevens said he would not personally be rushing to the nearest dancefloor.

“I can assure you it’s not a pretty sight,” he said.