Business confidence in South Australia is on the rise after being hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, but a peak lobby group has warned the recovery is "fragile" and has cautioned against "COVID fatigue".
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Business SA chief executive Martin Haese says the state's strong position in the midst of the global pandemic is extraordinary.
"With a couple of bumps along the way, South Australia has bounced back from the COVID-19 lockdown in November, and we are starting to enjoy some normality," Mr Haese said in an open letter released on Thursday.
"However, I am writing to tell you that this is fragile."
Mr Haese pointed to the 36 businesses that were cautioned by police last weekend for breaches of COVID-19 regulations including illegal dancing, and the lack of COVID safe plans and QR check-in codes.
This week there had been more reports of businesses being visited, he said.
"With no cases of COVID-19 in the community in South Australia since mid-November last year, weeks of zero community cases in Australia and the vaccination program now underway, we understand the feeling of complacency that comes with a good run," Mr Haese said.
"But this is too important to get wrong.
"It is up to businesses and the broader community to not let COVID fatigue get the best of us.
"We must work together as a state, to continue to lead the nation by auditing our COVID safe plans, checking in when we visit a business, reminding each other to play by the rules."
Mr Haese said by everyone doing the right thing, the government would have the confidence to keep restrictions light and limit other measures another outbreak might bring.
Australian Associated Press
