Masks now mandatory in WA’s South West as exposure sites list balloons amid new Covid cases

The South West has been added to WA’s masks mandate as the state records more cases, including one who was infectious in the community.

Western Australia’s masks mandate has been expanded to include the South West region, where some of the state’s most picturesque and popular tourist destinations are among a growing list of Covid-19 exposure sites.

The mandate was reintroduced on Sunday for indoor public places in the Perth and Peel regions, with the South West added on Monday after Karri Valley Resort near Pemberton and multiple places in Margaret River joined the list.

The indoor mask rule will apply from 6pm WST to anyone who has been in the South West since January 12, when a positive case was infectious in the community and has since travelled to another region.

The Perth and Peel rule applies to people who have been in those regions since January 6.

WA recorded three new local cases overnight, including one who was infectious in the community, all of which were first revealed at a press conference with Premier Mark McGowan on Sunday afternoon.

Two are linked to the Cockburn Omicron cluster and the third is a known close contact of a previously reported infection.

“One of three local cases was not in quarantine for their entire infectious period,” WA Health said in a statement.

“Contact tracers are working with this case to determine potential exposure sites. Some sites have already been added.

“All cases are now in self-quarantine. Their known close contacts are currently being investigated and will be directed to get tested and self-quarantine immediately.”

There are 46 close contacts linked to the Cockburn cluster, with 35 testing negative and 11 yet to be tested or their results are pending.

So far, there are 1152 casual contacts, of which 869 are negative and 263 are yet to be tested.

“The Omicron variant continues to be the biggest risk to our community,” Mr McGowan told reporters on Monday.

This is our WA COVID-19 update for Monday, 17 January 2022.

For official information on COVID-19 in WA, visit https://t.co/qA5jY6F4yDhttps://t.co/a5JTMbqAZCpic.twitter.com/3QBfQT1NOy

— Mark McGowan (@MarkMcGowanMP) January 17, 2022

“We need to get test numbers up to make sure we understand where Omicron is so we can take further action as we need to.

“We expect there are more cases in the community and we need to track them down.”

WA has also recorded nine other cases, who are returned travellers in self-quarantine.

There are now 106 active cases in WA, with 33 in hotel quarantine, 72 in self-quarantine and one in hospital but not in intensive care.

Authorities are managing 1017 people in hotel quarantine and 2188 people in self-isolation.

New exposure sites include Garden City Shopping Centre in Booragoon and Midland Gate Shopping Centre.

Authorities have identified potential higher risk exposure sites in the Perth suburbs of Osborne Park, Applecross and Mount Lawley.

People who visited those sites at the times listed should get tested immediately and self-quarantine.

Premier Mark McGowan gave the Covid-19 update on Monday. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Sharon Smith

“These higher risk Covid-19 exposure sites include Comfort Massage in Osborne Park, U Natural Spa Therapy in Applecross and New U Massage in Mount Lawley,” WA Health said.

“These location has been visited by multiple Covid-19 cases and WA Health believes additional people have attended the businesses during this time without registering their attendance or using the SafeWA app.”

The full list of exposure sites can be found here.

Meanwhile, authorities are continuing to closely monitor two vessels off the WA coast, with both reporting likely cases on-board following rapid antigen tests.

“All positive crew members on-board these vessels are isolating in their cabins and being monitored safely,” WA Health said.

Mr McGowan said one ship did not need to come to shore.

The other ship, which was travelling to Bunbury, could safely load and continue on, he said.

Originally published as Masks now mandatory in WA’s South West as exposure sites list balloons amid new Covid cases