South Australian pubs push for stand-up drinking as border rules ease

Pubs and bars in South Australia are pushing for restrictions to be lifted after the state's border controls were eased again – but they may be fighting a losing battle.

With punters still only allowed to attend sit-down drinks, many venues can only fill to half their capacity under COVID-19 regulations.

The Highway Hotel in Plympton is one place the rules are slowing business down.

"Just isn't quite the right feel," manager Darren told 9News.

"People come, have dinner, and they're off home."

South Australia opened its borders to the ACT today, and the state only remains restricted to those from Victoria and NSW.

SA has gone five months since its last locally acquired case without a known source.

And the hotels association is warning things could get even tougher when JobKeeper payments change at the end of the month.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens has made it clear the rules aren't going anywhere.

"That's still identified as a high-risk activity by our health experts and it's hopeful that by eliminating some of those high-risk activities we can allow other things to occur," he said.

Premier Steven Marshall said he believed the federal government had got the "balance right" on JobKeeper.

But industry fears remain.