It will also discuss whether to change mask-wearing rules in indoor public places.
The restrictions changes come as COVID-19 case numbers continue to climb following the return of school and the festival season, with the state today recording another 2590 new infections – the highest number since January 21.
Another four people – a man in his 50s, a man in his 80s, a woman in her 50s and a woman in her 70s – also died after testing positive for COVID-19.
There are 91 people with COVID-19 in hospital, including 11 people in ICU, and two people requiring a ventilator.
Asked why authorities were easing restrictions given the recent spike in COVID-19 cases, Stevens said: “We always expected that we would see fluctuations in the daily case numbers”.
“The critical indicator for us is the number of people being hospitalised on a daily basis and that has reduced substxjmtzywantially.
“It remains low and consistent, which is a strong indicator that the system’s able to cope, regardless of the number of positive cases.”
Stevens said authorities discussed the impact of Mad March festivities on easing restrictions and decided to “tread carefully” with regards to easing close contact quarantine and mask rules.
He said mask wearing remained mandatory in public indoor places and it was “always a possibility” that authorities could reintroduce restrictions.
“It is good to be able to stand here and provide this much sought-after relief to a wide range of activities across South Australia, including hospitality,” he said.
“I certainly understand the pressures that a whole range of sectors have been under because of the restrictions in South Australia.
“I’d just like to acknowledge the fact that – not withstanding the frustration and the impact it’s had – the high level of compliance we’ve had and the tolerance of the South Australian community for enduring what’s been an incredibly difficult two years.”
Govt ‘could’ve lifted some of those restrictions earlier’: Marshall
Premier Steven Marshall at Thursday’s SA Press Club leaders debate. Photo: Tony Lewis/InDaily
Earlier this afternoon, Premier Steven Marshall conceded that his government had made mistakes during its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, citing the rate at which the state lifted its restrictions as one of those errors.
He said most people would appreciate that South Australia had performed comparatively better than the other states, but “around the edges, around the margins there are things that in retrospect you would change about the way that is has been administered”.
