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‘Crushing and killing it quickly is the right approach’: McGowan upgrades border controls
By Aja Styles and Lauren Pilat
Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan has increased border controls as he again chooses “a safe and sensible response” to community cases of COVID-19, saying that other states delaying action was “a problem”.
The new border arrangements come on the back of current Phase 1 restrictions in the Peel and Perth regions.
Mr McGowan upgraded border controls with the Northern Territory, Queensland and the ACT, which come into effect at 6pm WST Sunday.
Arrivals from these locations must now complete 14 days self quarantine and be tested upon arrival in Perth.
Currently there is a hard border with NSW, with only exempt travellers allowed into Perth. Victoria continues to be regarded as low risk.
“Unfortunately the situation around the country is very concerning,” the Premier said. “This is a safe and sensible response.”
He said it was his understanding that the positive case in Perth had the Delta variant.
Asked about the response of the NSW government to the Sydney outbreak, he said he didn’t want to be critical while there was a health emergency in place.
“The lesson is that we need to act quickly and be very, very serious when we deal with COVID. Delay is a problem,” he said.
“We have always acted very quickly. Other states have done things differently.“
His message was “to act quickly and effectively.”
A woman in her 50s returned from Sydney to Perth last Sunday before testing positive to COVID almost a week later on Saturday night. Her husband has returned a negative test which Mr McGowan called encouraging.
While it’s yet to be confirmed, health authorities believe the woman could have contracted the contagious Delta variant, with the state government reinstating mandatory masks and crowd limits in the Perth and Peel regions.
Masks are to be worn indoors on public transport and work places and outdoors when spacing is an issue.
The government has also identified 186 gold mine workers in Perth from the NT who were required to get tested and spoken to 173, with 61 testing negative.
“For now we have avoided a full lockdown in Perth and Peel but if the situation worsens in coming hours and days we won’t hesitate to put in place even more restrictions and a lockdown,” he said.
He encouraged people to get vaccinated as that was the best way to avoid restrictions and lockdowns.
The WA Health Department has issued instructions for anyone who visited one of eight potential COVID-19 exposure sites, including IKEA and major supermarkets in Perth’s northern suburbs.
Connolly Primary School and Burbridge School in Koondoola will both be closed from Monday until further notice after the woman visited the schools.
Earlier, Premier Mark McGowan said Western Australia could not afford to take any risks with the virus and it was absolutely critical everyone maintained physical distancing, ensured good personal hygiene and got tested if any symptoms develop.
“I know this is frustrating, but we must follow the health advice and do everything we can to minimise community spread,” Mr McGowan said.
Anyone who has visited the following site should get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days:
Connolly Primary School, 169 Fairway Circle, Connolly
June 23, from 11.30am-2pm
Mobius Health and Performance, 2/7 Packard Street, Joondalup
June 22, from 9am to 11.30am and 3pm to 6pm
June 23, from 9am to 11.30am and 4.30pm to 6pm
June 24, from 3pm to 4pm
WA Premier Mark McGowan. Credit: Getty Images
If you attended one of the following exposure sites get tested immediately and monitor for symptoms. Quarantine if you experience any symptoms:
Burbridge School, 46 Burbridge Ave, Koondoola
June 22, from 11am to 1pm
June 24, from 8.30am to 12pm
Connolly Primary School, 169 Fairway Circle, Connolly
June 24, from 11.30am to 2pm
IKEA Perth, 6 Sunray Drive, off Ellen Stirling Boulevard, Innaloo
June 22, from 12pm to 2pm
PUMA Mindarie, 22 Anchorage Drive, Mindarie
June 22, from 5.30pm to 6.30pm
Indian Ocean Brewing Company, 33 Ocean Falls Boulevard, Mindarie
June 22, from 6pm to 8.30pm
Kmart Clarkson, Ocean Keys Shopping Centre, Clarkson
June 23, from 6pm to 6.30pm
Coles Clarkson, Ocean Keys Shopping Centre, Clarkson
June 23, from 6.15pm to 7pm
Woolworths Currambine, Currambine Central Shopping Centre
June 24, from 4.30pm to 5.30pm
Rockmans Currambine, Currambine Central Shopping Centre
June 24, from 4pm to 5pm
Anyone who has visited the following sites should monitor for symptoms.
Ocean Keys Shopping Centre, Clarkson
June 23, from 5pm to 7pm
Currambine Central Shopping Centre
June 24, from 4pm to 6pm.
For the latest updates and list of exposure sites, visit the State Government’s website.