Perth and Peel regions to end Covid-19 lockdown, but masks will stay for now

One state will end lockdown this weekend despite recording one new case of Covid-19, but some tough restrictions will remain in place.

The Perth and Peel regions will come out of lockdown this weekend despite recording one new case of Covid-19 overnight but some restrictions, including the use of masks, will remain in place for some time.

Premier Mark McGowan told reporters on Friday the new local case was a 21-year-old woman who is the partner of the man who picked up the virus at the Indian Ocean Brewing Company.

She has been in quarantine with her partner and previously tested negative twice, before returning a positive result on Thursday.

“While no new case is good news, the fact that case 1029 has been in quarantine since Sunday is encouraging,” Mr McGowan said.

“We do not believe she had been in the community while infectious.”

Authorities have identified 383 close contacts in the cluster, with 356 returning a negative result so far.

A further 2848 casual contacts have been identified, with 1725 returning a negative result so far.

Mr McGowan said the Perth and Peel regions would exit lockdown at midnight, but there would be three days of post-lockdown interim restrictions, followed by a further six days of “transitional” restrictions.

As scheduled, the Perth and Peel lockdown will end at midnight tonight.

From 12:01am Saturday 3 July, Perth and Peel will move to interim restrictions which will remain in place for three days, until 12:01am Tuesday 4 July. pic.twitter.com/kdf1lNS3Ka

— Mark McGowan (@MarkMcGowanMP) July 2, 2021

The post-lockdown interim restrictions for the Perth and Peel regions until Tuesday, pending any change to the situation, include:

• Everyone must continue to wear a mask indoors and outdoors, at work and on public transport, unless vigorously exercising;
• People who can work from home or remotely should do so;
• Limit of 10 visitors to all homes and 20 people for private outdoor gatherings;
• The 4 sqm rule and 20-patron limit for restaurants, cafes, pubs, bars, casinos, nightclubs, entertainment venues and public venues — for seated food and drink service only;
• Recreation centres, outdoor playgrounds, museums, beauty services, places of worship, gyms, dance studios and swimming pools can open with the 4 sqm rule and 20-patron limit;
• Universities, TAFEs and training services can reopen;
• Weddings and funerals can proceed with up to 20 guests;
• Professional and outdoor community sports permitted, but without spectators. Indoor community sport is not allowed; and
• No visitors to hospitals, aged care or disability facilities, except for compassionate reasons.

People identified as casual contacts of confirmed cases cannot travel outside the Perth and Peel regions until July 12, unless for essential or compassionate reasons.

Category two and three elective surgeries have been postponed in public hospitals until July 9.

“The next three days will be crucial ... for us to transition into the next phase,” Mr McGowan said.

Police have been stationed at border check points in the Perth and Peel regions during the lockdown. Picture: Matt Jelonek/Getty Images

The “transitional” restrictions that will take effect until July 12, pending ongoing health advice, include:

• Masks will be mandatory for indoor public venues, including at work and on public transport;
• A 30-person limit in all homes for indoor private gatherings and 150-person limit for outdoor private gatherings;
• The 2 sqm rule and 150-patron limit will apply to most venues, including weddings and funerals;
• Indoor and outdoor community sport can resume with spectators;
• Patients in hospital, or people in aged care or a disability facility can have four personal visitors per day. Masks will remain mandatory for staff and visitors; and
• Major stadiums, including Optus Stadium, RAC Arena and HBF Park will be able to operate at 50 per cent capacity.

“People should use common sense and take a mask with them whenever they leave home,” Mr McGowan said.

Drive-through Covid-19 testing stations in Perth have been busy this week. Picture: Trevor Collens/AFP

About two million people were forced into a four-day lockdown this week after a physiotherapist contracted Covid-19 at the Lyfe Cafe in Bondi, then unknowingly brought the virus home with her.

She spread it to another woman at a gym and a man at the Indian Ocean Brewing Company, who worked at the venue but was dining there at the time of contracting the virus.

It was then revealed on day two of the lockdown that a 37-year-old man had also contracted the virus, likely during one of his gym visits.

But he had been in quarantine and was not expected to have been infectious in the community.

The physiotherapist had received her first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine at the time of infection.

Mr McGowan renewed his calls for everyone to get vaccinated to avoid future lockdowns.

Police Commissioner Chris Dawson said there was very good compliance during the lockdown, with only one arrest at a border check point and a handful of people who were caught not wearing a mask.

“We are simply saying be sensible (and) work within the directions,” he said.

The Margaret River wine region is usually bustling during school holidays, but Tourism Council WA says many businesses have suffered during the lockdown.

The end of the lockdown on Saturday means families wanting to go on school holiday trips can proceed with their plans but must follow restrictions.

Anyone who has been in Perth and Peel since June 27 is subject to same mask-wearing requirements and will not be allowed to visit hospitality, entertainment, recreation venues or other public gatherings.

People are permitted to enter retail venues and purchase takeaway.

Tourism Council WA chief executive Evan Hall said many businesses had already lost bookings and an average of $9600 each due to recent travel restrictions and lockdowns.

“Normally, we would have 400,000 visitors travelling in WA during the school holidays, spending $300m,” he said in a statement.

“The interstate travel restrictions of recent weeks and the current Perth lockdown restricting regional travel means tourism businesses in Perth and around WA are experiencing mass cancellations from both interstate and WA travellers.

“The areas worst affected are Perth accommodation, tours and attractions, as well as seasonal businesses in the north.”

Mr Hall called on the state government to provide financial support to businesses.

“We are asking that at least $5000 be provided to small businesses, which can demonstrate a financial loss, in order to help cover costs,” he said.

Originally published as Perth and Peel regions to end Covid-19 lockdown, but masks will stay for now