Strict restrictions on the operation of wineries, cellar doors, breweries and distilleries in South Australia amid the coronavirus pandemic have been relaxed.

The tough measures, which essentially shut those businesses down, were introduced after a cluster of COVID-19 cases in the Barossa Valley linked to tour groups.

Tastings or the consumption of any products or produce on-site will remain prohibited but takeaway sales will now be allowed, provided social distancing measures are complied with.

Strict restrictions on the operation of wineries, cellar doors, breweries and distilleries in South Australia amid the coronavirus pandemic have been relaxed (pictured is the Seppeltsfield Winery in the Barossa Valley on March 31 2020)

A cluster of COVID-19 cases were found in tour groups in SA's Barossa Valley (pictured)

'We see this as a slight relaxation of the imposition so these businesses can continue to trade... as much as possible in the current circumstances,' SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said on Wednesday.

He said the new direction would bring those businesses into line with all others that serve food or beverages.

'We appreciate the harshness [restrictions] have on businesses and the community generally,' Commissioner Stevens said.

'They are not made lightly and are done with the intent of slowing the spread of the virus.'

The commissioner said at this point no further directions would be relaxed but all were being regularly reviewed.

In March, a group of 18 tourists from the United States were isolated after ten members of their tour group were found to have coronavirus.

The group was touring the Barossa Valley in South Australia after arriving in the country from America.

The mostly middle aged tour group was required to self-isolate in accommodation in the region with transport made available to rush them to Royal Adelaide Hospital if needed.

'It's important that we keep that group together, because whilst there are some people whose tests are pending and some whose are negative, obviously the risk of spread within that group is quite high,' SA Health's Dr Nicola Spurrier said in March.

Jacobs Creek winery in the Barossa Valley, northeast of Adelaide, Tuesday, March 31, 2020



