Almost 13,000 complete COVID marshal course as police confirm penalties for non-compliance
From Friday, COVID marshals will be on duty at supermarkets, pubs, gyms and various other venues. Do you have what it takes to be a marshal? Take the test to find out.
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Businesses and organisations could be fined more than $5000 if their COVID Marshals fail to adequately carry out their duties, SA Police says.
It comes as almost 13,000 people completed the State Government’s COVID marshal training in the first 24 hours after the online course was made available.
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A police spokeswoman has confirmed marshals themselves will not be penalised for failing to properly undertake their job but their employer will be liable for repeated non-compliance.
“The approach with compliance for COVID-19 Marshals will be treated the same as all other directions,” she said.
“SAPOL will in the first instance provide education to any business found not complying with the direction.”
The spokeswoman said subsequent non-compliance could attract a fine of up to $5060.
“SAPOL will continue to conduct checks to ensure compliance and seek the support of the public and business community to do the right thing and help stop the spread of the virus,” she said.
The Government last week announced that from this Friday, licensed venues, cafes, shopping centres, supermarkets, retail shops, gyms and places of worship must have a “highly-visible” marshal at their premises.
The initiative aims to minimise the risk of a coronavirus outbreak.
To be a COVID marshal a person must complete an online course, which outlines the role and responsibilities of the position.
SA Health has confirmed 12,890 people completed the course in the first 24 hours after the online training was made available on Monday afternoon.
The marshals, who must be at least 18 years old, can be a an existing member of staff, a hired worker or a volunteer and they must be “highly-visible”.
They will be responsible for monitoring venue capacity, physical distancing, infection control and hygiene rules.
Marshals will not have the authority to issue fines to those flouting the rules but can refuse service or call police for assistance.
Owner of Hellbound Wine Bar in the city, Mark Reginato, said business owners already had to be vigilant when it came to COVID-19 “so it will really mean no change in what we are doing”.
“The goalposts change every week so things like this are not relevant to all the many things we are already doing, especially compared to venues that aren’t doing any of the right things,” he said.
“It is just a waste of...an hour of my time, that’s all.”
But Mr Reginato planned to complete the course “with good humour” before the Friday deadline.
“I’ll be wearing a Captain COVID outfit, all spandex with my undies on the outside and a cape – They say I have to be identifiable,” he said.
The course can be accessed via https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/recovery/covid-marshals.