Fifteen food businesses across Adelaide’s east caught flouting social distancing measures

Food businesses across Adelaide’s east have been caught flouting strict COVID-19 restrictions after a week-long blitz by health inspectors.

Patronage at Burnside Village Shopping Centre has declined due to the coronavirus. Picture: AAP/ Roy Vandervegt.

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Fifteen food businesses across Adelaide’s eastern suburbs were caught flouting COVID-19 restrictions, a new report reveals.

An Eastern Health Authority report shows 11 businesses, from a total of 157 inspected by EHA officers between March 26 and April 1, were found to be non-compliant with new Federal Government rules.

Cafes and restaurants were restricted to only takeaway and home delivery services from March 23.

A further four offending businesses were outed following complaints from the public.

EHA chief executive Michael Livori said the breaches related to dining tables and chairs being set up for customers.

“The dining tables and chairs were not observed to be in use,” Mr Livori said.

It comes as the authority assists SA Police by monitoring food businesses in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

EHA is a subsidiary of Norwood, Payneham & St Peters, Prospect, Walkerville, Campbelltown and Burnside councils.

Mr Livori said the agency was educating offending businesses in the first instance.

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“The high rate of compliance observed with social distancing requirements (following EHA inspections) across the EHA council areas to date is very pleasing and reflects that our local communities are playing their part to flatten the curve,” Mr Livori said.

Mr Livori also said more than ten per cent of approximately 1000 food businesses the EHA inspects have temporarily closed since March 26.

Meanwhile, the EHA has been forced to complete “virtual onsite assessments” as many aged care facilities block access for on-site audits.

“While is not common practice, it is a solution that allows for the statutory requirements of the business to be fulfilled while minimising the risk to not only the employees of EHA and the businesses but most importantly to the aged residents,” the report reads.

Originally published as Fifteen food businesses across Adelaide’s east caught flouting social distancing measures