Some footy fans allowed into Adelaide Oval to watch Showdown 48, but no exemption for second Black Lives Matter protest
More than 2000 footy fans will be allowed into Adelaide Oval to watch the Showdown – but a second Black Lives Matter protest on Saturday will not be given an exemption from coronavirus restrictions.
SA News
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Two thousand people will be allowed into Adelaide Oval to watch Showdown 48, and another 240 in private boxes, Police Commissioner and state co-ordinator Grant Stevens says.
However, he has refused an exemption for a second Black Lives Matter protest on Saturday.
“People who attend (the protest) run the risk of being issued expiation notice or risk being reported or arrested,” Mr Stevens said on Tuesday.
He said people had been given a chance to protest and now needed to find another way.
He said it appropriate for George Floyd’s death to be acknowledged, but Saturday’s protest was “a one-off event”.
“It is very difficult for us to manage it if creates an outbreak,” he said.
He earlier told ABC Radio allowing rallies to occur every weekend would make a “mockery” of the coronavirus restrictions.
Black Lives Matter protest organisers have pledged to hold anti-racism rallies in Adelaide every weekend until change occurs.
Asked if he would allow regular rallies, on ABC Radio, Mr Stevens said such a move would undermine current restrictions, based on health advice.
“The reality was with the rally that happened on Saturday, there was no likelihood we were going to be able to control the number of people who gathered in Victoria Square,” he said.
“That rally was going to happen whether I gave an exemption for it to occur or not.
“That can’t happen every weekend, otherwise the restrictions do become a mockery.”
Mr Stevens said by allowing the rally to occur, it gave authorities the ability to work with organisers and have some control or influence in the way it was conducted.
It comes as Premier Steven Marshall suggested crowds will almost certainly be allowed to watch the Showdown live at Adelaide Oval this weekend.
The Premier said he believed crowds will be allowed into Adelaide Oval but precise numbers were being thrashed out by the State Government’s COVID-19 Transition Committee.
Asked by Nine News before the critical meeting on numbers, he replied: “Let’s wait and see.”
South Australia is in line for a significant easing of coronavirus restrictions within days, with limited live sports crowds set to return and more patrons allowed into pubs and clubs.
After almost three months of COVID-19 lockdowns, authorities will on Tuesday debate lifting a series of bans.
In what officials described as its most critical meeting yet, the State Government’s Transition Committee will consider overhauling spectator limits – including for Saturday’s Showdown – easing border restrictions, boosting numbers into pubs and reopening gaming venues.
An announcement on what would be the biggest easing of lockdown restrictions to date is expected on Tuesday afternoon.
The committee, which includes Mr Stevens, chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier and other department chiefs, will also consider the second planned anti-racism protest in Adelaide this weekend.
Saturday’s Black Lives Matter rally attracted at least 6000 people.
There has been mounting industry pressure to accelerate lifting restrictions. Multiple sources have told of tensions in the committee over health and economic responses.
Neither SA Health nor the State Government commented on Monday night.
On ABC Radio, Mr Stevens also sympathised with those frustrated by the restrictions.
“I certainly understand the sentiment and I’m not immune to that as well – there have been circumstances where things that I would have liked to have done have not been able to occur,” he said.
“Like funerals – there’s been a funeral that I wasn’t able to properly participate in. One of my children lost his job because of the restrictions that we put in place.
“I’m not immune to the sacrifices that people have been making and I’m very mindful of that.”
“But I go back to the fact that I need to take into account the advice from the Chief Public Health Officer and find a way to relax those restrictions in such a manner that we don’t increase the risk of coronavirus spreading within our community.”
As SA recorded its 13th consecutive day of zero daily cases, Mr Stevens told The Advertiser: “There will be a number of significant issues to be discussed this week by the transition committee.
“Details of the outcomes of those discussions will be made public once decisions have been made.”
Sources said pubs and other licensed venues could be allowed to cater for up to 100 people per area, capped at 400 patrons across a venue, from this weekend, as long as 1.5m social distancing is followed and there is 4sq m per person.
Pokie rooms could open next week.
Currently up to four areas, each with a maximum 20 patrons, is allowed. Authorities are also considering a proposal to allow up to 800 fans to attend Showdown 48 at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.
A crowd of 500 people, plus people in corporate boxes, could be allowed into the match. Tickets would be available to both clubs on the same ratio as a normal Showdown, favouring the home team which is Port Adelaide.
But even more fans might be allowed, after more than 6000 protesters crammed into Victoria Square on Saturday.
International research has found the safest way to distance fans is to have one person for every 17, 18 or 19 seats.
Given Adelaide Oval’s 53,000 capacity, this would allow for 2800- 3100 fans. But a 20 per cent capacity is also considered safe, allowing for 10,600 spectators.
Port Adelaide general manager Matthew Richardson said the Power would love to host fans but had yet to settle on ticket allocation. He said: “We will consider how we allocate any available tickets to our members and partners.” The Stadium Management Authority has been contingency planning for a range of crowds.
An Adelaide Crows spokesman said: “We would always want our supporters and members to be at our games … as long as it does not jeopardise community health and wellbeing.”
Authorities are on alert for COVID-19 outbreaks following mass anti-racism protests across the country.
RALLY TO RESUME PRESSURE AGAINST RACISM
Another mass anti-racism rally is planned for this weekend as organisers vow to capitalise on their high profile protest.
In extraordinary scenes police said had not been seen for 40 years, at least 6000 people jammed into Victoria Square on Saturday afternoon for the Black Lives Matter rally before marching along the CBD’s main strip.
Despite the size of the peaceful anti-racism rally, organised against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic, police made no arrests and issued no fines or reports of anti-social behaviour.
Organisers told The Advertiser that another rally is planned this weekend.
The State Government’s powerful Transition Committee is to consider the proposal while police will work with organisers to help plan the rally planned for this Saturday afternoon.
Under current rules, Police Commissioner Grant Stevens, also the State Co-ordinator and a member of the committee, has to grant them a special exemption to gather.
A police spokesman said on Monday: “We were very pleased with the results of the rally on Saturday.
“Police are aware that they are planning another protest. Police will make all efforts to contact the same organisers to see what terms will be required.”
Senior officers and Premier Steven Marshall have praised the behaviour of attendees – the majority of whom wore face masks and used hand sanitiser but struggled to practice social distancing.
The Adelaide protest – part of a global movement sparked by the death of black American George Floyd, 46, in Minneapolis – attracted controversy and hypocrisy claims after Mr Stevens granted a special, one-off exemption from COVID-19 restrictions.
Mr Stevens will now consider the committee’s recommendations and other information before deciding whether to approve another rally permit.
Rally organiser, southern suburbs actor Natasha Wanganeen, 36, has been left overwhelmed by support for the rally.
“We are going to keep going until something changes,” she said.
“I am really ecstatic with all the support that was shown and proud for all the non-indigenous people who showed up.”
Another organiser, activist Tom Gilchrist, 27, of Hawthorn, said the rally’s response had been amazing.
“The idea is we don’t just have one protest racism is gone. We are going to keep going.”
He said attendees attempted to practice social distancing, used hand sanitiser and wore masks.
Responding to criticism of the rally, he said the rally was different from a “corporate venue … making profits from large events”.
“We are not a testing ground for lifting any restrictions that exist,” he said.
“We are not going to let ourselves to be used for any other way for ending the lockdown.”