Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2021-02-02 Daily Xml

Contents

Answers to Questions

COVID-19 Restrictions

8 The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (12 November 2020).

1. What are the current COVID-19 rules regarding gyms, specifically on the use of fans and air conditioners?

2. What is the current COVID-19 health advice regarding gyms, specifically on the use of fans and air conditioners?

3. What enforcement/compliance activity is being undertaken with regard to gyms and COVID-19?

4. Has compliance activity resulted in any action against gym operators including warnings, fines or other sanctions? If so, what action was taken?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing): I have been advised:

1. As at 11 November 2020, there was no reference to fans or air conditioners in the Emergency Management (Public Activities No 10) (COVID-19) Direction 2020.

2. SA Health is discouraging the use of fans in gyms as they create a direct flow of air from one direction potentially increasing transmission. Gyms are encouraged to use other forms of cooling such as air conditioners. Where this is not possible and fans must be used, SA Health recommend reducing the number of people present.

The Minister for Police has been advised:

3. Compliance in respect to all businesses and activities under the Public Activities Direction, including gyms, is enforced by a coordinated and robust statewide compliance checking regime implemented by South Australia Police (SAPOL). This regime incorporates both proactive daily compliance checking and a daily response to any reported incidents of noncompliance.

4. It is not currently possible to interrogate SAPOL data holdings to a level enabling reliable and/or accurate reporting of compliance activity in respect to gyms specifically.