People in Perth and the outer-metropolitan area of Peel are waking to the first morning of a three-day COVID lockdown.
Key points:
- The Perth and Peel lockdown will cover the Anzac Day long weekend
- It was sparked by COVID transmission at a quarantine hotel
- If no further cases emerge, it is set to end at midnight on Monday
The lockdown came into effect at midnight on Friday AWST, and unless there is further community transmission will end at midnight on Monday.
WA Premier Mark McGowan announced the move on Friday afternoon, but fears of a lockdown saw queues forming in supermarkets and liquor stores even before the announcement was made.
The lockdown was initiated after a Victorian man tested positive in Melbourne after completing 14 days of quarantine at Perth's Mercure Hotel.
The 54-year-old man left hotel quarantine on April 17 but did not return to Melbourne until April 21.
ABC News: Steve Johns
)That meant he spent up to five days in the community while infectious.
During his post-quarantine time in Perth the man stayed with a woman with two children in the city's south — she also returned a positive COVID test.
For the length of the Anzac Day long weekend, people in the lockdown areas will only be able to leave home for work, to shop for essentials, for medical or healthcare reasons or for up to one hour of exercise daily.
Masks in public are mandatory, except if you are exercising vigorously, you are in a car with people from the same household or you are a child under 12.
Pubs and restaurants are closed, but are open for takeaway.
Mercure Hotel guest 'concerned' over transmission
Rob Overton, who is currently quarantining at the Mercure Hotel after arriving from Spain on April 17, said he found the latest developments concerning.
"[I'm] a little bit concerned, I'm over 50 years old," he said.
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)"I'm worried about my own health. And I've got over a week to go in the hotel."
Earlier this month, WA's Chief Health Officer warned about the high risk hotels like the Mercure presented.
Mr McGowan said there would be a review of which hotels would continue to be used to house international travellers.
He said some could be used for lower-risk travellers.
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)The Premier confirmed that would be the case for the Mercure, which could house quarantining seasonal workers from Tonga and Vanuatu, considered "extremely low risk" countries.
Anzac Day services around the Perth and Peel regions have been cancelled, with Mr McGowan urging people to take part in driveway dawn services instead.
New Zealand announced a pause on travel with Western Australia due to the COVID outbreak.
The New Zealand government said health officials were in contact with their Australian counterparts and were completing a risk assessment.
Exemptions for leaving home
People cannot leave the lockdown zones without an exemption.
There are four reasons why people can leave their home during this period.
- For work, because they cannot work from home or remotely.
- To shop for essentials, like groceries, medicines and necessary supplies.
- For medical and healthcare needs, including compassionate requirements and looking after the vulnerable.
- For one hour of exercise, with up to four people and with masks, unless it is vigorous exercise.
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2021-04-23 20:44:30Z
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