South Australia’s govt resists calls for pubs to re-open early

SYDNEY, May 15, 2020, 9News. South Australia’s Premier Steven Marshall has resisted calls to follow the lead of other states by re-opening pubs today. Mr Marshall today remained firm in a June 8 easing of COVID-19 lockdown conditions for the state, 9News reported.

Journalists grilled the Premier today on why the pub re-opening date could not be brought forward in time for the June long weekend. But he was going to change his stance.

“There are plenty of people that are advocating to bring forward the easing of restrictions especially around the long weekend, but we’ve got to put the health and safety of South Australians first,” Mr Marshall said.

“Plenty of other places, cities and countries, have been in the position we’re in, they think they’ve got the coronavirus beaten, only to have three or four weeks down the track, a major outbreak and a major setback.

“We don’t want to be that place, and we won’t be that place.”

Mr Marshall said to follow the lead of states like New South Wales and allow up to 10 people in venues would be “unviable”.

“We’ve been very clear on pubs re-opening. Indoor dining will begin on the 8th of June, that’s restaurants and cafes, pubs and clubs,” he said.

“In terms of standing up, in a pub, in large groups, I think that will be further down the track.

“What we’ve said is people can be sitting down at tables, indoor dining, alcohol can be served, from June 8. It’s not that far away.

“We will continue to look at every opportunity to ease restrictions.”