The Prancing Pony Brewery is back in business with takeaways after the South Australian Police Commissioner reversed a directive shutting down drive-through services at the brewery.

“We are relieved is the first reaction, and we are happy that we can go back to some sense of normality,” said Corinna Steeb in a video published to the Prancing Pony Facebook page.

Legal counsel Karen Stanley of Stanley Law said that the SA government should be commended for their flexibility and willingness to revisit directives which might adversely affect businesses.

“I think it shows that our state wants to minimise damage to the community. It’s clear that the government is reviewing directions as often as they can,” she said.

“It gives South Australia some confidence that the government is doing the best it can to stop the spread of COVID-19 but also support businesses.”

Prancing Pony was among a number of businesses, namely wineries and another unnamed brewery, that was affected by the order which was put in place last week prior to the Easter long weekend.

SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said in a media conference that the order had been put in place to limit all non-essential travel in the Barossa Valley due to an outbreak of COVID-19 in the area due to the movement of international tourists travelling to wineries in the region.

“It required strict action and swift action was taken to restrict the potential for people to contract the virus by being exposed to those locations where the tourist had visited,” Stevens said.

“We issued a direction under the non essential business and other gatherings direction that precluded wineries from trading from their premises. However they were able to trade online and deliver those produce items to customers but no customers were allowed to travel to their venue.”

In addition to wineries being shut down, Prancing Pony and one other brewery were forced to shut down takeaway and on-premise sales.

“Having reviewed those directions,” the Commissioner said, “a reassessment was undertaken and consultation with the chief public health officer and as a result of that consultation and determination it has been determined that we will slightly relax restrictions on wineries and enable them to trade from their premises.

“We are also withdrawing the directions that were issued to two separate businesses prior to the Easter long weekend.”

Commissioner Stevens reiterated that on-premises consumption of food or drink was still not allowed. He said that the government’s relaxation of the rule was in “recognition” that South Australians “did the right thing” and conformed to travel restrictions over the long weekend.

“We appreciate the harshness they have on businesses and the community generally, they are not made lightly and are done with the intent of slowing the spread of the virus in the South Australian community.”

The Prancing Pony is now open for the pickup of takeaway food and beer. Wednesday is wings night, and to celebrate the relaxation of the rules, the brewery is giving customers a discount on every carton of beer. Find out more on the Prancing Pony Facebook page.