Perth's "circuit-breaking" four-day lockdown will end at midnight after WA recorded one new local case of COVID-19 since yesterday, Premier Mark McGowan has announced.
Key points:
- The new local case is a 21-year-old who has been in quarantine
- It is is not believed she was infectious in the community
- Interim restrictions including the mask mandate will remain for three days
The new case, a 21-year-old woman who is the partner of the man who worked at the Indian Ocean Brewery, has been in quarantine since Sunday.
"The good news is the woman has been in quarantine and we do not believe she was infectious while in the community," Mr McGowan said.
More than 2 million people in the Perth and Peel regions entered a four-day lockdown on Tuesday, after three COVID-19 cases were found in the community.
ABC News: Andrew O'Connor
)Some post lockdown restrictions including the mandatory wearing of masks, will remain for three days.
A staged plan clears path out out of lockdown
Mr McGowan outlined a staged plan out of the lockdown over the next nine days, with the goal of returning to phase five restrictions by July 12.
"We will take three safe and sensible steps over the next nine days to get us back to our restriction free, pre-lockdown lives by Monday, July 12," he said.
From 12.01am Saturday, until Tuesday, July 6, everyone must continue to wear a mask in indoor and outdoor public places, including while at work and on public transport.
There will be a limit of 10 visitors in all homes, and 20 people for outdoor gatherings.
Venues to reopen with restrictions
The four-square-metre capacity rule and a 20-person limit will be in place at restaurants, cafes, pubs, bars, casinos, nightclubs, entertainment and public venues, gyms and beauty, nail and hair salons.
Weddings and funerals can go ahead with up to 20 guests.
ABC News: Andrew O'Connor
)The intrastate Perth and Peel border will be removed, meaning people can travel within WA, with the exception of some remote Aboriginal communities.
But anyone who has been in Perth and Peel since Sunday, June 27, must wear a mask.
Restrictions will be further eased on July 6, pending health advice, and then removed on July 12.
"All going to plan, businesses across the state will be trading unrestricted by Monday week," Mr McGowan said.
Perth residents encouraged to continue rolling up sleeves
Health Minister Roger Cook said more than 11,000 people were vaccinated yesterday.
"It was about 50/50 Pfizer and AstraZeneca," Mr Cook said.
"We have seen an encouraging up-tick in vaccination numbers this week with 36,000 people in just the last three days— let's keep it up."
The lockdown began on Tuesday after three COVID-19 cases were detected in the community, forming what has been referred to as the northern Perth cluster.
The first case, a 51-year-old physiotherapist, picked up the highly infectious Delta variant at a Bondi cafe two weeks ago.
A man in his twenties then become infected while dining at a different table at the Indian Ocean Brewery, in Perth's north, at the same time as the physiotherapist.
The latest case, the 21-year-old-woman, was living with the man who was infected at the brewery but she has been in quarantine for the whole week.
Perth businesses will be relieved to come out of lockdown as questions remain around compensation for owners and workers.
The state's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) anticipates WA businesses will be hit harder than last time—when the lockdown cost $170 million.
Next three days 'crucial' to determine future freedoms
Mr McGowan said he understood the four-square-metre rule and 20-person capacity limit would be "difficult" for many businesses.
"That will be in place for the next three days, that will be tough for many and we understand that," he said.
Mr McGowan said the next three days would be crucial in determining whether restrictions can be further eased.
He said a decision on financial assistance for affected businesses would be made after restrictions had been completely lifted.
Mr McGowan also said he would write to the Commonwealth requesting it consider income support for people who were not able to work during the lockdown and while restrictions remain in place.
Income support for casuals 'unlikely'
The Commonwealth is responsible for income support, while the states are responsible for supporting small businesses.
But the income support only starts if the lockdown lasts more than seven days.
But Mr McGowan said he did not believe West Australians would be eligible.
ABC News: Hugh Sando
)"The initial advice we have is no, because our lockdowns have not been severe enough as would normally [be needed] to qualify," he said.
"But I will be writing to the Commonwealth to seek their support for casual employees and employees who have lost income."
Lockdown was 'last resort'
Mr McGowan defended his decision to lock down Perth and Peel, saying it remained a last resort to deal with COVID-19.
"New South Wales waited until it was 80 cases or something like that, before putting in place the lockdown—they have had 30 cases today," he said.
"I would prefer to avoid that. We have avoided that by acting quickly and swiftly.
"It is a last resort, I don't like doing it.
"The alternative is what is going on in Sydney."
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2021-07-02 06:08:56Z
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