31/01/2021
As you would be aware by now, Western Australia is dealing with an evolving situation regarding COVID-19.
A hotel quarantine security guard has tested positive to COVID-19.
Exactly how the infection was acquired remains under investigation.
However, based on the information we have, it appears possible that this new positive case has the highly transmissible UK variant.
So, beginning at 6pm tonight, the whole Perth metropolitan area, the Peel region and the South West region will go into a full lockdown.
This lockdown will be five days, running until 6pm on Friday 5 February.
Following discussions with the Chief Health Officer and Police Commissioner, people in these regions are required to stay home, except for the following four reasons:
- Shopping for essentials like groceries, medicine and necessary supplies.
- Medical or health care needs including compassionate requirements and looking after the vulnerable.
- Exercise, within their neighbourhood, but only with one other person and only for one hour per day.
- Work, if it cannot be done remotely.
Masks must be worn at all times, except within your place of residence. This includes at your workplace and on public transport.
People in the Perth, Peel or South West region must stay inside their region for the next five days, unless for an essential reason.
Like we did previously, for these purposes Perth and Peel are considered one region and movement is permitted, but only for the four essential reasons.
This lockdown means the following businesses, venues and locations in the relevant regions need to close for the next five days:
- Pubs, bars, clubs, restaurants and cafes will close, and provide takeaway service only.
- Gyms and indoor sporting venues
- Playgrounds, skate parks and outdoor recreational facilities
- Cinemas, entertainment venues, and casinos
- Beauty therapy services, parlour or salon including hairdressers, barbershop, nail salon, tattoo parlour, spa or massage parlour
- Large religious gatherings and places of worship
- Libraries and cultural institutions
10 people can attend funerals, while weddings are cancelled for the next five days.
No visitors are permitted in homes, unless caring for someone vulnerable or in an emergency.
No visitors will be allowed in aged care homes, unless under exceptional circumstances.
No visitors to hospitals and/or disability facilities, unless under exceptional circumstances.
Elective surgery and procedures for categories 2 and 3 will be suspended from Tuesday, 2 February. Category 1 and urgent category 2 surgery will continue.
And Term 1 has been postponed by one week for Perth, Peel and South-West. Schools and tertiary institutions are set to reopen on Monday 8 February.
All these measures will be reviewed regularly and the Chief Health Officer will continue to monitor the serious situation and provide more ongoing advice.