WA Premier Mark McGowan warns NSW government against making a COVID-19 ‘mistake’

A Premier has warned he does not want to see Australia’s good record in battling COVID-19 ‘change based upon mistakes made in the east’.

West Australian Premier Mark McGowan has warned the New South Wales government not to make a “mistake” with its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and be “very, very vigilant” around Queensland’s outbreak.

Queensland recorded eight new locally acquired coronavirus cases overnight, with some of the infected people also attending a hen’s party in Byron Bay, NSW.

“I’d urge the NSW government to be very, very vigilant here,” Mr McGowan told reporters on Tuesday.

“The whole world is still going through COVID — it has not stopped.

“We have, as a country, done so well and I don’t want our record of good outcomes to change based upon mistakes made in the east.”

Premier Mark McGowan has issued a stern warning to his NSW counterpart. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tony McDonough

Mr McGowan said he would be watching NSW “very closely”.

“We’ve already put in place restrictions around Byron Bay in addition to the totality of Queensland,” he said.

“But if there’s outbreaks in NSW, we won’t hesitate to put up a border with NSW.”

Mr McGowan previously said West Australians planning Easter trips to Queensland should cancel their plans, but on Tuesday did not offer the same advice for NSW entirely.

“I’d certainly say the same for Byron Bay and that area at this point in time,” he said.

“If there’s community spread in NSW, obviously, the situation will change dramatically.”

Cleaners are constantly disinfecting throughout Perth Airport. Picture: Matt Jelonek/Getty Images

Some radio hosts in Melbourne have poked fun at WA’s handling of the pandemic, prompting a reporter to ask Mr McGowan if he was “over” eastern states commentators criticising the west’s hard border.

“Not too worried what those characters might say or do,” the Premier said.

“Obviously we do what we have to do to keep the state safe. If they don’t like it, well, bad luck.”

Originally published as WA Premier Mark McGowan warns NSW government against making a COVID-19 ‘mistake’