NewsBite

WA lockdown: Senior cabinet ministers and MPs could be granted quanatine exemption

Some of Australia’s most politicians may be allowed to skip quarantine after fears they would be locked up as a result of the WA COVID outbreak.

The first Aussies to get the COVID jab

Western Australian politicians have been thrown a lifeline after it was revealed some of Australia’s most senior cabinet ministers and MPs would be locked up in quarantine until Friday in Canberra.

It was feared many politicians would be banned from attending Parliament as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak in Perth.

But now it seems the officials could be allowed to skip quarantine, with ACT Health and federal parliamentary officials set to meet this morning to decide if they will be granted an exemption, according to the Canberra Times.

“The politicians themselves sometimes do sometimes get exemptions as essential workers,” ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said.

“There is some constitutional question about whether ACT Health can legally prevent politicians going to work from Parliament House and doing their jobs.

She said ACT Health would be working through it on a “case-by-case basis”.

A number of MPs were in the air flying from Perth to Sydney as the WA premier announced the shock news that a COVID-19 infected hotel security guard has been roaming Perth triggering a 5-day lockdown.

RELATED: Perth plunged into lockdown after case spends days in community

RELATED: Residents rush to supermarkets after lockdown announcement

RELATED: Perth guard visited long list of public venues, including KFC

Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds. Picture: Sam Mooy
Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds. Picture: Sam Mooy

Just minutes after landing in Canberra on Sunday night the MPs were ordered to go straight to their accommodation to quarantine on Sunday night in a move that could throw Parliament into chaos.

The decision means that Attorney General Christian Porter, Defence Minister Linda Reynolds, Assistant Defence Minister Andrew Hastie and many other MPs and staff would be confined to their accommodation for up to 5 days and banned from attending Parliament.

ACT Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr Vanessa Johnston announced the precautionary measure late on Sunday night revealing at this stage the period of quarantine is consistent with the length of the lockdown in WA.

“In line with the WA Government’s own lockdown we are saying that anyone who has been to one of these regions since 25 January should quarantine until 9pm on Friday 5 February, even after they have received their test results,” Dr Johnston said.

“This advice also applies to the passengers from a Qantas flight that landed in Canberra this evening.

That flight was carrying a large number of WA ministers, MPs and staff including at least one person concerned they may have visited one of the exposure sites also attended by a COVID-19 infected security guard.

Attorney-General Christian Porter. Picture: Sam Mooy
Attorney-General Christian Porter. Picture: Sam Mooy
A flight arriving in to Canberra from Perth (not pictured) will be forced in to quarantine amid a COVID-19 outbreak fear in WA. Picture: Rohan Thomson/Getty Images.
A flight arriving in to Canberra from Perth (not pictured) will be forced in to quarantine amid a COVID-19 outbreak fear in WA. Picture: Rohan Thomson/Getty Images.

“ACT Health had already requested that those passengers go directly to their accommodation and to minimise their interactions with other people,’’ Dr Johnston said.

“They should now seek testing for COVID-19 tomorrow (Monday) and then return to self-quarantine until 9pm on Friday.”

“We are also asking that non-ACT residents who are in Western Australia to not travel to the ACT at this time.”

Earlier, Speaker of the House Tony Smith had directed all WA MPs not to leave the airport but report immediately to officials and prepare to enter quarantine.

“As directed by the Speaker, all WA Members and staff must report to the SAA and Whips staff on arrival at the gate at Canberra airport,’’ the advice states.

“You will be directed to quarantine until further advised by the whip’s office.”

The Australian Health Principal Protection Committee (AHPCC) was expected to convene an emergency meeting on Sunday night to discuss the Perth cases.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said both the PM and his office had been briefed on the situation in WA by the acting chief medical officer.

Minister for Health Greg Hunt, along with Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been briefed on the unfolding situation. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman
Minister for Health Greg Hunt, along with Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been briefed on the unfolding situation. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“At this stage one case has been confirmed with widespread testing and contact tracing underway,’’ he said.

“Four states have recently been tested by outbreaks, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.

“All have taken appropriate action to effectively manage these outbreaks. We are confident that Western Australia will also be able to manage the current outbreak.”

The Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he was also confident the WA Government could get the outbreak under control.

“The coming days will be difficult for many Western Australians but we’re confident WA will be able to get on top of the current outbreak,” he said.

“A big thank you to everyone in WA for your patience and cooperation as we all work to fight this terrible virus.”

Read related topics:Perth

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/health-safety/wa-lockdown-passengers-on-perth-to-canberra-flight-told-to-remain-in-accommodation/news-story/4d8cbb77c2b9ac52e98759bab0b26e62