SA restrictions eased at midnight, 1445 new cases, two deaths recorded

South Australians woke up to a raft of new freedoms as restrictions eased at midnight.

South Australians woke to eased restrictions on Friday morning as the state recorded 1445 new Covid-19 cases and two deaths.

Under rules that relaxed at midnight, home gathering limits have increased from 10 to 50 people while gyms can operate at one per four sqm, compared to one per seven sqm.

Hospitality venues can also now have a 75 per cent capacity and stand up drinking outdoors, but restrictions remain at 50 per cent seated consumption indoors.

Also, 50 per cent of the workforce are able return to the office as of Monday morning.

Gyms can now operate at one per four sqm, up from one per seven sqm. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Sarah Matray

Hospitality venues can now have up to 75 per cent capacity and stand up drinking outdoors. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Naomi Jellicoe

Premier Steven Marshall announced the second round of eased restrictions on Thursday.

He previously announced the Covid-19 rules were reviewed every fortnight and would relax in stages.

Mr Marshall urged resident to continue wearing masks at indoor workplaces.

“This is still a highly transmissible variant. We want to make sure we can do everything we can to ease those restrictions but not have a second wave in South Australia,” he said.

“Our hospital capacity is there. At the moment, we've got fewer numbers of people taking up those hospital beds and that’s what’s given us the confidence to further reduce those restrictions down.”

SA recorded 1445 new Covid-19 cases on Friday. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Flavio Brancaleone

Adelaide Aquatic Centre has been listed as a high risk exposure location by SA Health.

Anyone who visited the North Adelaide complex on the following days during the allocated times must closely monitor for symptoms and seek immediate testing if they present:

• Thursday, February 3 from 4pm to 6pm
• Saturday, February 5 from 8.30am to 11.45am
• Tuesday, February 8 from 9.30am to 11.30am and 4pm to 6.30pm
• Wednesday, February 9 from 9.30am to 11.30am

Of the 1445 new cases, 286 were detected in rapid antigen kits and 1159 came from PCR tests.

Currently, 210 people are in hospital with 16 in intensive care and five on ventilators.

Yesterday, there were 1639 new cases reported.

SA Health has listed Adelaide Aquatic Centre a high risk exposure site. Picture: Supplied by Adelaide City Council

It comes as the Health Services Union (HSU) claimed personal protective equipment (PPE) including N95 masks and gowns had been taken away from SA Dental staff.

The “furious” peak body said it was considering its options including escalating the matter to the Employment Tribunal after several employees raised concerns about their workplace safety.

SA Dental employees who have patient-facing roles are provided gowns, N95 masks and face shields by the Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN), which is operated under SA Health.

An “outraged” HSU branch secretary Billy Elrick said SA Dental employees were sent a memo by management late last Friday afternoon advising them they had lost access to PPE as of Monday.

“I couldn’t think of a workplace that has more direct face-to-face contact than a dental clinic - these workers deserve the same protections afforded to other frontline workers,” he said.

“We already know of an employee of SA Dental who is currently in isolation after exposure to a positive patient through their workplace.

“To take away PPE while the outbreak is ongoing puts these workers at risk and is an appalling decision.”

The Health Services Union has claimed supplied PPE has been taken from SA Dental employees. Picture: iStock

But SA Health said PPE would continue to be provided to all SA Dental staff in line with the required infection control measures.

“During the Omicron wave, we implemented some early restrictions on the types and number of services provided and applied additional levels of PPE where the risk of Covid-19 transmission was likely to be higher,” a spokesperson said.

“Over the last two months we have been fit-testing clinical staff for N95 or P2 masks, and from next Monday staff will commence wearing N95 masks in clinical settings to provide an added level of protection.

“Staff in nonclinical areas such as reception will continue to be supplied with the required surgical mask and eye protection.”

Originally published as SA restrictions eased at midnight, 1445 new cases, two deaths recorded