Popular Downtown on Hindley Street and Commercial hotel, Mount Gambier fined for COVID-19 breaches
One of Adelaide’s most popular night spots and a South-East pub have been fined for breaching coronavirus restrictions.
Police & Courts
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The CBD-based Downtown On Hindley and the Commercial Hotel, Mt Gambier, were each fined $5060 for “failing to comply” with legal COVID-19 directions.
Police said both venues had “numerous patrons standing and consuming alcohol”.
This is banned under current rules legally enforced by the state’s COVID-19 co-ordinator, Police Commissioner Grant Stevens.
Several other businesses were cautioned over the weekend or educated by officers, who had concerns about a lack of social distancing.
Police figures show there have been 1358 fines issued and 717 cautions handed it out during the pandemic.
John Meek, the owner of the Hindley Street-based Downtown, told The Advertiser that he would “cop it on the chin”.
Mr Meek, who also owns the Woolshed and Black Bull nightspots on the city party strip, said bouncers did not notice a surge in patrons on the mezzanine level overlooking the main dance floor.
He said management would learn from the breaches and he will now hire more security guards to patrol its rooms.
“I knew we were getting popular, and we tried to pre-empt the demand from the young kids,” he said.
“It is four times more stressful than running it at full capacity.
“It’s no one’s fault. We had enough room. We can safely hold 500 people but they were gathering in the one spot and we weren’t quick enough to move them on.
“Us nightclubs didn’t think we would be able to control no dancing but we have. The hard thing is the no standing and drinking.
“But we are all learning. We will cop it on the chin. It doesn’t mean I like it, but we have to live within the law.”
The Commercial Hotel’s manager Karen Gray, said the breaches were “minute” that involved a “couple” of patrons standing while drinking and being too close to people.
“There was no dancing on tables or anything like that,” she said.
“We respect the police’s decision and we will make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
SA Health is not approving special “COVID management” for nightclubs and major events indefinitely because of interstate risks.
A police spokesman said officers will “continue to focus their efforts on ensuring businesses and individuals comply with directions”.