Police Commissioner Grant Stevens urges ill people to not be selfish and stay home if sick during festive season

SA can expect a “normal” Christmas despite surging Covid cases, the state’s top cop says, as the health authority issues a new mask recommendation.

South Australians can likely enjoy a “normal” Christmas but must not be selfish by leaving home sick, the state’s top copwarns, amid the Covid-19 health chief’s strongest mask advice for weeks.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens told MPs on Monday that he was optimistic no new restrictions would be imposed during the festive season amid surging Covid cases.

Authorities are now strongly recommending masks in indoor places and on public transport.

Mr Stevens said authorities were instead asking the public to show personal responsibility and avoid “selfishness” with attending Christmas events if they had any flu-like symptoms.

“I’m hopeful that we will enjoy a normal Christmas,” Mr Stevens said under questioning from Liberal MP Ashton Hurn.

“It does fall down to personal responsibility.

“There may be some people who, because of the fact that they have cold and flu symptoms, maybe need to step aside from those normal Christmas gatherings that we tend to look forward to.

“That’s the personal responsibility I’m talking about - don’t put other people at risk because of your own selfishness.”

He added: “If you have any symptoms, you should be staying at home and keeping updated with the SA Health advice as well so you have a clear understanding of what we actually may be dealing with in South Australia.”

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens Grant Stevens urged people to not be selfish this Christmas by going out with any flu-like symptoms. Picture NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier

Chief public health officer, Nicola Spurrier, strongly urged mask use in public locations for the first time in more than two months after a surge of Covid-19 cases last week.

“We’re asking South Australians to consider their personal circumstances to keep themselves and others safe,” Professor Spurrier said.

“SA Health is recommending people – particularly those who are vulnerable – to consider wearing a mask in indoor crowded public places as well as public transport where they’re unable to safely distance … from others.”

Premier Peter Malinauskas has downplayed any imminent crackdown despite a “rather substantial” rise in Omicron patients in a week.

On Monday, the Premier said he had “no information to hand to suggest that will change anytime soon”.

Cabinet’s Emergency Management Council received modelling last month showing a fourth wave would peak next month.

Mr Stevens, the state Covid co-ordinator during 793 days of the emergency declaration, said he was yet to see any up-to-date modelling.

The council is due to meet next week.

Appearing before parliament’s Covid-19 direction and accountability oversight committee, Mr Stevens said SA Police were reviewing coronavirus operations. He did not know when a wider Covid review would occur.

Mr Stevens said he was no longer an active “decision maker” on the council but was one of many officials helping to shape Covid policy.

He is still the state co-ordinator, a role usually reserved for natural disasters.

He also praised the vast majority of South Australians for helping the state fight the pandemic and become a gold benchmark for public health policy.

Last week the state government said SA would not face new Covid restrictions despite an almost doubling of cases and two major Adelaide hospitals suspending elective surgeries.

Some elective operations were suspended at the Flinders Medical Centre and Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

People have been urged to avoid high-risk locations.

Officials warned something “very drastic” must happen to impose new legal directions, especially before Christmas.

SA Health on Friday reported 6867 new cases this week – almost double in seven days.