SA’s COVID Lockdown Is Ending Early ‘Cos a Worker Lied to Contact Tracers

Lockdown will end on Saturday night.

It was announced earlier this week that South Australia would be introducing a six-day lockdown to "stay ahead" of a growing coronavirus outbreak threatening the state. 

The state government described the lockdown as a "circuit breaker", with South Australian Premier Steven Marshall saying the measure was necessary to allow for contact tracing on cases linked to the Parafield cluster. 

All pubs, cafes, takeaway food outlets and schools were ordered to shut as part of the lockdown. 

However, it was revealed earlier today that SA will come out of the strict lockdown on Saturday night—three days early—and outdoor exercise with family or housemates will be allowed "effective immediately". 

As reported by the ABC, Premier Marshall said authorities decided to end the lockdown early after discovering that one of the positive cases at the centre of the Woodville Pizza Bar coronavirus hotspot had misled contact tracers. 

What?!

— 💧Pollyfronk (@Pollyfronks) November 20, 2020

The man, who worked at the Samford medi-hotel, told authorities he contracted COVID-19 after purchasing a pizza, but he was actually working at the pizza shop. That means his exposure to the virus would have increased. 

"That clearly changes the circumstances, and had this person been truthful to the contact tracing teams, we would not have gone into a six-day lockdown," Premier Marshall told reporters. 

"His actions have affected businesses, individuals, family groups and is completely and utterly unacceptable."

It looks like the man won't be fined for lying to authorities. Police Commissioner Grant Stevens told the media that he wouldn't be charged for his actions. 

So, what's happening with restrictions? 

Well, from midnight Saturday, groups of up to 50 people can gather at private functions and funerals.

On top of that, up to 10 people can go to a private residence and up to 100 people can be at a pub or restaurant (as long as other restrictions are in place). Other businesses will mostly be able to open from midnight on Saturday too, but under strict conditions.

Schools will be able to reopen on Monday morning, while beauty and personal services suppliers will still be required to wear masks. 

Maybe Zac Efron will even be able to get back to filming his new movie Gold. 

Three new coronavirus cases have been confirmed in SA today, all of which were already in quarantine and were close contacts of staff at medi-hotel and the Brompton aged care home.

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