Grant Stevens asks SA Health for transparency on why you can dance at some SA events and not others
Police Commissioner Grant Stevens has encouraged SA Health to be transparent with the public, and explain why people can dance at certain major events but not others.
SA News
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South Australia’s Police Commissioner has encouraged SA Health to be transparent with the community about why the state’s major events have dramatically different Covid rules.
It was yesterday revealed dancing will be allowed at WOMADelaide this year, after the festival’s final Covid Management Plan was given the tick of approval.
It raised questions after McLaren Vale music festival, Wine Machine slammed SA Health for not approving dancing or stand up consumption at their event set for March 13.
Wine Machine organisers said the state’s Covid rules were “draconian” and postponed the festival for the second time, until December 2022.
Dancing and stand up consumption is not allowed at the Garden of Unearthly Delights under Covid rules.
Mr Stevens told ABC Radio Adelaide on Wednesday morning he could not respond to how CMPs were formed as it was under the responsibility of SA Health.
He said an explanation to why specific events had different rules “couldn’t hurt”.
“I think we’ve done so well as a community in South Australia because of the commitment that we’ve had to provide as much information and provide as much transparency as possible in relation to the decisions, which some of those decisions are difficult to understand,” Mr Stevens said.
“Being prepared to stand up and talk about them, I think, enables people to at least form some appreciation as to why there may be differences from one event to another.”
A statement from SA Health said Covid Management Plans address how high risk activity will be managed through Covid safe requirements to reduce the risk of widespread transmission should an infected person attend an event.
It declined to explain the processes of forming CMPs for specific events on Tuesday, but was reapproached for updated comment on Wednesday morning.
Beginning next week, festival patrons at WOMADelaide will be allowed to dance, as well as consume food and drinks while standing.
While dancing is allowed, the festival will operate at a 28 per cent reduced capacity.
Meanwhile, Wine Machine McLaren Vale was originally set to take place on December 10 last year has now been postponed for a second time, to take place at the end of 2022.
“We are heartbroken to announce that Wine Machine McLaren Vale is being postponed again, due to incomprehensible draconian restrictions handed down to us promoters from SA Health,” a social media post read.
A poll conducted by The Advertiser revealed 76 per cent of voters, or around 760 people, agreed with Wine Machine organisers that restrictions should be further eased. About 240 respondents said there was no need to rush restrictions.
Fringe director Heather Croall said: “I think it is important that the rules are consistent – if outdoor dancing and vertical consumption is allowed in one outdoor venue then it should be allowed across the board in all outdoor venues. We need transparency and consistency.
“There’s no difference in audience outdoors dancing and drinking in one venue compared to another. I am aware that there are a number of venues with outdoor activities that want to know what the measures and controls are they can put in place to get the same permissions as Womad has been given”.
SA Health has responded that Covid management plans (CMPs) are assessed on a case-by-case basis – and may be adjusted depending on circumstances.
A spokesperson said it considers whether the event is indoors or outdoors, whether vaccination is mandatory and capacity to manage the crowd.
“If our response to COVID-19 needs to be strengthened across the community we will work with event organisers to adjust their CMPs as required,” they said.
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