Western Australia brings in hotel quarantine for South Australians after cluster outbreak

Passengers flying into Perth from Adelaide received a shock on landing after being told to either adhere to strict new measures or fly back.

Shocked passengers flying into Perth from Adelaide on Sunday were told on landing they would either need to adhere to strict new coronavirus measures or fly back home.

With news of a growing cluster of COVID-19 cases in South Australia, Western Australia immediately imposed new restrictions for travellers from the state – less than 48 hours after lifting its tough border policy.

An emergency meeting between WA’s Premier Mark McGowan, police commissioner Chris Dawson and chief health officer Nicola Spurrier on Sunday saw the announced change in direct response from the cluster announced just hours earlier.

So abrupt were the new measures, one Qantas flight was mid-air when they were introduced and passengers were given the news from health officials at the airport upon landing.

Meanwhile, passengers waiting for another flight from Adelaide to Perth at the airport were notified before departure and were given the option to disembark.

The restrictions mean that anyone arriving in Perth from South Australia will now need to be tested for COVID-19 and must self-quarantine for 14 days. The new measures for South Australia are now the same as those required for people coming into the state from NSW and Victoria.

RELATED: SA reports ‘very troubling’ outbreak

JUST IN:
WA has immediately imposed quarantine measures on travellers coming from SA, after a case of Covid19 community transmission was recorded here today. People heading West- including those who’ve just arrived- will have to self isolate for 14 days. #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/yYdF9CNZLd

— Tim Hatfield (@timhatfield87) November 15, 2020

South Australia recorded its first community-transmitted coronavirus cases since April – seven months – after three infections were reported on Sunday.

While it is still unknown where the new infections began, Prof Spurrier said hotel quarantine was suspected to be the source, as one of those testing positive worked at one of their medi-hotels.

Health authorities now fear hundreds of people in the city’s northern suburbs could have been exposed to the deadly virus.

It is understood Qantas gave passengers arriving in Perth the option to return to Adelaide and a number have indicated they will take the option and fly back on Monday.

It was a dramatic turn of events for the airline which turned 100 overnight.

First community transmission of #covid19 cases in South Australia for 7 months. Border for them to WA just effectively shut. These people were about to board .... https://t.co/Bge45sy6o0

— Tanya (@GongGasGirl) November 15, 2020

For those who have chosen to stay in WA, they will now need to be tested for COVID-19 on arrival (or within 24 hours of arrival at another COVID clinic) and on quarantine day 11.

Arrivals must self-quarantine “in a suitable premise” for 14 days.

“These are initial steps the State Government is taking to protect all Western Australians, and will be reviewed regularly,” a statement read.

“We will monitor the position in South Australia very closely and will strengthen measures if required.

“We understand these changes will cause frustration for many people, but these steps are being taken on the best health advice to protect everyone.”

South Australia COVID-19 Health Alert 15 November 2020: https://t.co/ILL5YMXz8O pic.twitter.com/deL7hfsGov

— SA Health (@SAHealth) November 15, 2020

A woman in her 80s was diagnosed at Adelaide’s Lyell McEwin Hospital emergency department on Saturday after visiting on Friday night, leading to 90 staff and patients being ordered to quarantine.

Two of the woman’s family members, a female in her 50s and a man in his 60s, have tested positive for the deadly virus.

The three are all from the same family and are related to a staff member from a medi-hotel holding quarantined patients in Adelaide. Health authorities say they are considering this as the likely source but the information is “very, very early”.

Four other members of the family are showing symptoms and are awaiting coronavirus testing results.

Prof Spurrier described the new cases as “very troubling”, revealing the woman had visited suburban shopping centre Parafield Plaza Supermarket.

She said the cluster is the worst outbreak in South Australia yet, fearing multiple public venues may have been visited by family members yet to be confirmed as infected patients.

“I’m expecting that we will have more cases,” Prof Spurrier said on Sunday.