A male hotel quarantine security guard in Perth has tested positive for coronavirus, marking the first locally acquired case in Western Australia for almost 10 months.
Perth, Peel and the southwest region will be sent into a full five-day lockdown in response to the outbreak from 6pm on Sunday, with schools to close.
The man, in his 20s, worked at the city’s Sheraton Four Points Hotel.
Premier Mark McGowan said the state has immediately begun contact tracing and would ramp up testing in response to the outbreak.
More positive cases among the close contacts of the man are expected to be confirmed, he said.
Based off the variants present in the hotel where the man worked, the case may well be of the highly contagious UK variant, which was present on the same floor where the man worked, Mr McGowan said.
Mr McGowan said the state would act early and decisively to get on top of the situation.
“I could not be more proud and thankful of the way Western Australian have carried themselves. Now we are asking for your help once again. I urge the community to act calmly. This is crucial,” Mr McGowan said.
Mr McGowan said those in Perth now had four essential reasons to leave home for the next five days. These are shopping for essentials; medical or healthcare needs, including compassionate requirements; exercise within the neighbourhood with one other person for one hour per day; and work when you cannot work from home or remotely.
The WA premier urged people not to panic buy.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your jurisdiction’s restrictions on gathering limits. If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. News and information is available in 63 languages at sbs.com.au/coronavirus
Please check the relevant guidelines for your state or territory: NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Northern Territory, ACT, Tasmania
