West Australians has emerged from a five-day coronavirus lockdown.
The state posted a fifth consecutive day of no new community COVID-19 cases, leading the lockdown for metropolitan Perth, Peel and the South West to end at 6pm local time.
“I can confirm we will exit lockdown at 6pm tonight,” Premier Mark McGowan told reporters on Friday.
“The only reason that could change was if local cases were recorded this afternoon. But I’m confident in our transition plan out of lockdown is the right approach.”
The three regions were sent into a five-day lockdown on Sunday following the discovery of a positive case in a security guard at the Sheraton Four Points hotel who roamed the streets of Perth while infectious. It was later confirmed to be a case of the more contagious UK variant of the virus.
Almost 50,000 tests were conducted during the lockdown as West Australians heeded calls to get checked.
“Like many Western Australians, I’m so relieved we have got to this point and we can get businesses and our economy back open with full confidence,” the premier said.
“We got through this and it’s a credit to each and every one of you.”
Post-lockdown restrictions remain in place
A range of restrictions will remain in place for Perth and Peel until 12:01am on 14 February.
All residents, including teachers and high school students, must continue to wear masks while outside of their homes except for during vigorous outdoor exercise.
A 20-person limit will be imposed on all private indoor gatherings, while a four square metre rule and a cap of 150 attendees will apply to hospitality and retail venues and weddings.
Restaurants, pubs and bars can only have seated service and only essential travel is permitted in and out of the combined restricted zone.
Individuals will also face penalties for not using the SafeWA QR code system or written contact registers.
“It is absolutely vital this becomes a habit,” Health Minister Roger Cook said.
“It must be part of your routine. The more you do it, the more you help all of us.”
The premier has announced a $500 offset on electricity bills for small businesses and charities affected by the lockdown.
It is expected to be taken up by about 85,000 customers at a cost of about $43 million and to provide, on average, up to two months of bill relief.
“I know this won’t cover the cost of a lockdown, I understand, but I hope it does provide some form of help,” Mr McGowan said.
State borders
Meanwhile, South Australia has removed its hard border restrictions for travellers from Greater Perth, but will keep a testing regime in place.
Premier Steven Marshall on Friday said people from the previously designated hotspots in Western Australia – Perth, the Peel region, and the South West – will still be required to have COVID-19 tests on days, one, five and 12.
They must isolate until they receive a negative result from the first test.
Anyone from Western Australia currently in quarantine in South Australia will be allowed to leave provided they have not visited the Four Points Hotel in Perth.
Meanwhile, the Nothern Territory revoked its hotspot declaration for Perth and surrounding areas on Friday.
Those travelling to the NT from parts of Western Australia will no longer have to undergo mandatory supervised quarantine.
Queensland will also lift hotspot restrictions on Western Australia’s South West region from 1am on Saturday.
Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said as long as there’s no new cases, hotspot declarations will end for the Perth and Peel regions at 1am on 14 February.
Officials are continuing to investigate how the guard contracted the highly contagious UK strain of the virus from a sick guest.
The guard had been stationed on a chair about three metres from the guest’s room but they are not believed to have had any face-to-face contact.
Authorities believe the virus was transmitted either by airborne transmission or surface contamination.
Anyone working in a “high-risk situation” in quarantine hotels is now required to wear a face mask and protective eyewear at all times.
The government will also introduce saliva tests between shifts for hotel quarantine workers.
With AAP.
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
