South Australia imposed a multi-day lockdown to curb a potential new coronavirus strain, only to discover it stemmed from a pizza delivery worker's misleading account of his infection.
As of late 2020, Australia had recorded 27,843 COVID-19 cases and 907 deaths—far fewer than in the U.S., India, or Brazil. According to a BBC report from November 21, 2020, South Australia, which had largely avoided the virus since April, faced alarm after 36 new cases emerged. But the trigger for the full lockdown wasn't just the numbers: a man claimed he contracted the virus from a pizza delivery.
He reported receiving a pizza from a shop where a security guard—who had tested positive after working in a quarantine hotel—was employed. Fearing a more transmissible strain that could spread via a pizza box, authorities acted swiftly.
The six-day lockdown ended, but an investigation revealed the truth: the man also worked as a pizza maker at the same venue and had been in direct contact with infected colleagues. The deception had already forced closures of shops, restaurants, schools, and factories, confining two million residents.
South Australia's Premier Steven Marshall stated: "We are absolutely furious with this person's actions and will be considering the consequences very carefully."
Police confirmed no charges would be filed, as no specific law covered the lie. However, a special task force was formed to review the incident and check for any legal breaches.
