Supermarkets across suburban Adelaide will be granted the opportunity to trade extended hours – including the option of 24-hour weekday trade and 9am to 9pm trade on Sundays – under a 14-day exemption to help support vital physical distancing measures.
This decision is supported by health advice from public health experts within SA Health, who say that the additional hours will help facilitate physical distancing – one of the best ways to limit the spread of COVID-19 – and access to goods.
Treasurer Rob Lucas said the exemption will come into effect from tomorrow and will enable supermarkets and other essential stores (including pharmacies) to cater for vulnerable customers, including the elderly and people with a disability.
Under the exemption, supermarkets will be able to open an extra 4 hours until 9pm on Saturday November 21 and 28.
On Sunday November 22 and 29, supermarkets can trade from 9am to 9pm (instead of 11am to 5pm).
“We have always acted according to public health advice, and SA Health supports this extended trade as a way of promoting critical physical distancing,” said Treasurer Rob Lucas.
“Today we have seen huge queues outside supermarkets right across the city and suburbs.
“And in these challenging times, we want to make it as easy and safe as possible for South Australians to get the groceries they need, while giving supermarkets the flexibility they need to cater for increased consumer demand while supporting staff.”
The exemption will apply from tomorrow (Thursday, November 19) to Wednesday, 2 December (inclusive).
All employees working during the extended hours would do so strictly on a voluntary basis and no-one can be forced to work the additional hours.
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