Perth backpackers party up before quarantine, as WA cases increase
Mass fears of community transmission and two-weeks in hotel quarantine didn’t stop these backpacker revellers from partying until the very last moment.
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As WA teeters on the edge of a potential Covid outbreak, backpackers from the Old Fire Station in Fremantle have made the most out of their last moments of freedom, before entering hotel quarantine.
88 guests at the popular accommodation venue were ordered into hotel quarantine after coming into contact with an unvaccinated Covid-positive traveller from Queensland.
This comes as the state recorded a total of 10 active cases of Covid, despite a long run of zero instances of local transmission.
‘Covid won’t stop us dancing’
Documenting their last day of freedom, guests at the Old Fire Station flooded social media with videos and photos of their Christmas Eve celebrations.
While the hostel had been locked down by WA Police, those staying at the venue organised their own party in the courtyard, complete with DJs. Densely packed partygoers were seen dancing, drinking and jumping in unison.
Outside, some guests had chalked the outdoor space with the words: Let us Stay.
Although the Old Fire Station’s manager, Bruce, attempted to allow the backpackers to isolate at the hotel, his request was refused due concerns it venue couldn’t satisfy quarantine requirements.
“We’ve been told that we’ve got to possibly vacate all our backpackers and move them into separate isolation effective immediately,” he told The West Australian.
“We’ve been running a backpackers over 15 years and you know, we treat all those guys like our kids.”
”It just feels like they’re trying to rip their home (from them) the day before Christmas.”
Despite this, partying continued as bus loads of guests were taken to hotel quarantine, with revellers seen dancing en route.
One Instagram story was captioned “Covid, you won’t stop us dancing” as 99 Luftballons by NENA was blasted from the speakers.
Trail left by Case 1113
Identified only as case 1133, the French 25-year-old flew into the country on December 12 just as the state upgraded its restrictions which would have forced incoming Queensland travellers to quarantine. Instead he visited multiple venues across the capital city and is believed to have been infectious since December 16.
The suburbs he travelled to include Girrawheen, East Perth, Edgewater, Marangaroo, Mirrabooka, Northbridge, Perth, Scarborough, Subiaco and Wanneroo.
An event at the Perth Mess Hall in Northbridge attended by the backpacker has already resulted in one positive case from a close contact, and four positive cases from people listed as casual contacts. Over 400 people from the even have also been forced to isolate for 14 days until January 3, forcing them to miss Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Currently the state’s potential Covid-19 exposure sites have increased to 44.
‘We’re in the twilight zone’
Throughout the course of the pandemic, WA has always maintained a strict Covid-zero strategy. While this has controversially resulted in hard border measures, Premier Mark Mark McGowan has admitted that a potential outbreak would make these measures “redundant”.
Currently WA borders will remain closed until February 5, giving the state time to vaccinate its citizens.
“We’re in the twilight zone,” he told media on Christmas Eve.
“The advice I have is that two are vaccinated, two are unvaccinated, one we don’t know.
“It may be Omicron but we suspect it’s Delta.”
As the state waits to see the full extent of the community transmission, Mr McGowan has introduced new restrictions for the time being.
Residents in Perth and Peel will need to wear masks at all public indoor venue from Thursday 6pm and licensed hospitality venues will be limited to seated service from 6pm on Friday.
“If we have major community spread of the virus across the community, it may well be that February 5 becomes redundant,” he said on Friday.
“The measures we’re putting in place here for five cases are as tough as the measures in NSW for 5000 cases per day.
“But we are in a bit of a twilight zone. We don’t know how much spread is out there so we’re trying to work out what it is.”
Originally published as Perth backpackers party up before quarantine, as WA cases increase
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