Plain Jane Adelaide bar caught out on own video in apparent Covid rule breaches

An Adelaide bar which shared videos of people dancing and without face masks has admitted “there may have been a breach” to Covid rules, after deleting the footage. See the videos

An Adelaide bar which posted videos to its own Instagram page featuring dozens of patrons ignoring Covid dancing and face mask restrictions during a weekend event has admitted “there may have been a breach”.

After being alerted to the apparent breach and removing the eight short Instagram videos, Leigh Street venue Plain Jane told The Advertiser the incident would be reviewed - with management hitting out at the rules which “continued to cripple the hospitality industry”.

The city bar posted the footage to its Instagram page on Sunday evening, for an event it hosted which featured multiple acts including Albanian singer Nora Istrefi, Elvis Pupa, DJ Sardi and DJ DSTR.

The two-storey bar and club captioned the video “Sunday’s …” with tables visible, but dozens of attendees filmed standing up while dancing and singing along without face masks on.

Image from Plain Jane nightclub's Instagram story on Sunday evening and Monday morning. Picture: Plain Jane Instagram

In the footage, a security guard is shown visibly placed at the front of the stage but no guests are instructed to change their behaviour.

After being contacted by The Advertiser on Monday afternoon, Plain Jane deleted the public Instagram stories.

Plain Jane management later issued a statement admitting “there may have been a breach”.

“We are reviewing last night’s incident as there may have been a breach,” a spokesperson said.

“The happiness and safety of our patrons and the greater community is our number one priority.

“Rules on masks, no standup consumption and no dancing have continued to cripple the

hospitality industry and leading to high levels of abuse and harassment every week.

“In light of this matter, we look forward to the end of these restrictions so the hospitality sector can focus on our patrons and doing what we love and do best - serving the community.”

Plain Jane says rules on masks, standup drinking and no dancing are crippling the hospitality industry. Picture: Plain Jane Instagram

According to the latest directions from SA Health, masks are required for shared indoor public places except for bridal parties during ceremonies.

Dancing is only permitted in dance studios or for wedding couples.

“It (dancing) is not permitted in licenced premises or at any other function.”

A spokesperson for SA Police said it would look into any possible breaches of the Emergency Management Act by the Adelaide bar, confirming a business would be fined $5000 if investigations led to the discovery of a Covid breach.

Chief public health officer Nicola Spurrier was last week questioned as to why South Australia was the only state or territory in the country with the strict no-dancing rules.

“We do know that standing up, and particularly when you combine that with drinking alcohol, you do get more mingling,” Prof Spurrier said.

“It’s the mingling and the contact (that spreads the virus), and of course you can’t wear a mask if you’re standing up and drinking.”