Robe venue fined after patrons caught breaching Covid restrictions by singing, dancing and drinking while standing up

A licensed venue at Robe has been slapped with a $5000 fine after police caught patrons in breach of Covid restrictions.

A licensed venue at Robe has been slapped with a $5000 fine after police caught patrons singing, dancing and drinking while standing up.

Late on Friday, investigators who visited the venue also found that it was in breach of social distancing requirements and mask rules.

“It will be alleged that many patrons were standing for consumption and some singing and dancing,” SA Police said.

“The alleged failure of the venue to comply potentially puts the public and staff at risk.”

The venue, which has not been named by police, has been fined for breaches of the Emergency Management Activities direction.

The incident will also be referred to the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner, who will consider whether there was any breach of the Liquor Licensing Act.

Licensing Enforcement Branch officers will continue to focus their efforts on Robe and the Limestone Coast, police said, as well as other areas where “suspected breaches of directions are occurring”.

A temporary Covid testing station was opened at the Robe Football Club earlier this month following a spike in local case numbers, particularly around the time of New Year’s Eve. Local authorities have attributed the rise to the large number of tourists who flock to the coastal town each summer.

As of Saturday, the District Council of Robe local government area had 213 active cases.

Last week, council chief executive James Holyman told the Advertiser most businesses were open.

“Overall, the supermarkets are flat out,” he said.

“Most of the businesses, if they’ve been closed, they’ve been closed for a day.”