Police set up outside Woodville Pizza Bar after lockdown announcement

After being discovered as the source for the state’s lockdown, police have descended on Woodville Pizza Bar to protect against potential attacks.

Police have rushed to the Woodville Pizza Bar after it was announced that a worker employed at the shop lied to SA Police, forcing the state into lockdown.

From midnight Saturday, the Stay at Home directions will be lifted, meaning South Australians will be able to leave the house, albeit under some continuing restrictions.

The announcement sparked a social media meltdown, with enraged people taking to Facebook to point fingers.

But SAPOL have urged those who may be frustrated to remain calm and focus on the positive of an early resumption of normality.

“Police are monitoring the situation at the Woodville Pizza Bar, and are providing routine patrols at the scene and of the immediate area to discourage any acts of vandalism or property damage from members of the public,” a SAPOL spokesperson said.

A police presence already stationed outside the Woodville Pizza Bar where a worker lied to contact tracers, causing SA to go into lockdown. @theTiser pic.twitter.com/sbbKe2lCGF

— Mitch Mott (@MitchMottTiser) November 20, 2020

While there was no movement from within the venue, officers in marked and unmarked cars kept watch over the property.

Woodville worker Mandie Simpson said she was stunned by the deception but supported the quick actions of the government.

“It’s been very concerning, for everyone,” she said.

“My main concern has been for staff who go to the pizza bar.

“We’ve had a number of workers have to go off and get tested and they won’t be back until next week, if they can come back then.”

Ms Simpson described the lie as “extraordinary”.

“I think it’s a real shame what happened, but I also think that Steven Marshall did the right thing by shutting everything down immediately.

“I’ve never known anyone to lie like that, but I’m not angry, we did what had to be done to contain the risk.”

The Woodville Pizza Bar on November 20 2020. Day 2 of the South Australian COVID-19 six day lockdown. Picture: Matt Turner

Premier Steven Marshall said he was “furious” that the person claimed to have bought a pizza from the shop, but in fact worked there.

“His actions have affected businesses, individuals, family groups and are absolutely unacceptable”.

“I will not let the disgraceful conduct of an individual keep South Australians under these conditions for one day longer than necessary.”

The Woodville Pizza Bar’s Facebook Page has become place for a place to vent, but also for the more sympathetic to offer support.

A post by the page, which has been inactive since 2017, has been inundated with nearly 1500 comments.

One of the more positive and helpful comments offered support to staff of the shop.

“Clearly a bad decision you got caught up in but I hope you can ride this out and survive. I think the words “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone” need to be applied here. Stay strong, learn from this and go well in the future,” said John Parker.

The majority of comments came from the frustrated angle, with a host of profane abuse being hurled at management of the shop.

One of the more subdued commenters expressed their desire for staff to face legal action.

“I really hope you all get charged. You willingly and will fully lied. You caused an entire state to go into lockdown. You caused many casual staff to lose income. You should be ashamed of yourselves,” said another.