Western Australia reimposes restrictions after one new local case of Covid-19 recorded

A new case of Covid-19 has been recorded in Perth after a woman visited a Bondi cafe, prompting the WA government to reimpose restrictions.

A physiotherapist in Perth has tested positive for Covid-19 after visiting a Bondi cafe, prompting the West Australian government to reimpose some restrictions for at least three days.

Health Minister Roger Cook said it was believed the woman, aged in her 50s, had the highly contagious Delta strain of the virus, but she had taken her first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

“We are treating this situation very seriously,” Mr Cook told reporters on Sunday.

“We are responding to an unknown threat until we can actually understand the actual nature of the threat in relation to this outbreak.

“These are a very proactive, deliberate and aggressive response to a potential threat to the West Australian community.”

The woman returned a negative test result on Monday, but on Thursday she developed symptoms and on Friday she realised the Lyfe Cafe that she visited had joined the exposure site list.

She was tested and returned her positive result on late Saturday night.

“Can I emphasise that this woman did everything right,” Mr Cook said.

Anyone with symptoms is urged to get tested. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

He said the period of focus was from June 22, when it was believed she was infectious, through to June 24 when she was last in the community.

Anyone who has visited one of the following sites during the times listed should urgently get a test and quarantine for 14 days from the date of last exposure:

• Mobius Health and Performance in Joondalup on June 22 from 9am to 11.30am and 3pm to 6pm
• Mobius Health and Performance in Joondalup on June 23 from 9am to 11.30am and 4.30pm to 6pm
• Connelly Primary School (which will be shut on Monday, with the entire Year 5 class are close contacts) on June 24 from 11.30am to 2pm
• Mobius Health and Performance in Joondalup on June 24 from 3pm to 4.30pm
  

Anyone who has visited one of the following sites during the times listed should urgently get a test and monitor for symptoms:

• Burbridge School (which will be shut on Monday) on June 22 from 11am to 1pm
• Ikea Perth on June 22 from 12pm to 2pm
• PUMA Mindarie on June 22 from 5.30pm to 6.30pm
• Indian Ocean Brewing Company on June 22 from 6pm to 8.30pm
• Kmart at Ocean Keys Shopping Centre in Clarkson on June 23 from 6pm to 6.30pm
• Coles at Ocean Keys Shopping Centre in Clarkson on June 23 from 6.15pm to 7pm
• Burbridge School (which will be shut on Monday) on June 24 from 8.30am to 12pm
• Connelly Primary School (which will be shut on Monday, with the entire Year 5 class are close contacts) on June 24 from 11.30am to 2pm
• Woolworths Currambine on June 24 from 4.30pm to 5.30pm
• Rockmans Currambine on June 24 from 4pm to 5pm
  

An Ikea store is part of the exposure list in WA. Picture: Loic Venance/AFP

Mr Cook said authorities were watching the situation in NSW.

“(We are) seeing just how quickly and easily the Delta variant is transmitted within the community, so I think that this is a proportionate response,” he said.

Restrictions will apply for the Perth and Peel regions from noon.

Among the restrictions are a 30-person limit in all homes for private gatherings and no crowd at Optus Stadium for the West Coast Eagles versus Western Bulldogs match later on Sunday.

“We know many of you will be disappointed by this news, but the health of our community is our priority,” Optus Stadium tweeted.

“We’ll see you back at the stadium as soon as government advice allows.”

The State Government has just announced that today’s game, WCE V BULL will be played without a crowd.

We know many of you will be disappointed by this news, but the health of our community is our priority. We'll see you back at the stadium as soon as Government advice allows. pic.twitter.com/LoQQvy6Vdh

— OptusStadium (@OptusStadium) June 27, 2021

Masks will be mandatory indoors, as well as outdoors where physical distancing is not possible but community sport is permitted.

Hospitality, entertainment venues including the casino, retail, beauty and hairdressers, recreation centres including gyms and dance studios, swimming pools and places of worship can remain open but must comply with the 2 sqm rule with a maximum of 150 people.

Wedding and funerals can proceed but will be limited to 150 people too.

Hospitals can have a maximum of four visitors per patient each day, but masks will be mandatory for staff and visitors.

Anyone who enters a regional area from the Perth or Peel region must also wear a mask and travel should be minimised.

Travel to remote Aboriginal communities will be restricted.

Health Minister Roger Cook announced the restrictions on Sunday. NCA NewsWire/Tony McDonough

Regarding the outbreak from the Northern Territory mine site, Mr Cook said there were 252 close and casual contacts in Western Australia.

So far, of the 127 people out of 182 that authorities will be contacting, 110 had responded and 92 of them had been tested.

Six have so far returned negative results.

“No positive results, which is a very pleasing outcome,” Mr Cook said.

Asked if a hard border could be imposed on the Northern Territory, Mr Cook said the emergency management team would reconvene in the afternoon to determine what action was required.