Western Australia has recorded no new local cases of COVID-19 overnight.
Key points:
- The Premier says the virus hasn't been "fully shaken off" after the outbreak
- Some restrictions will remain in Perth and the Peel region until next weekend
- Workers remained cautious in Perth's CBD this morning about the COVID risk
One new case has been recorded in hotel quarantine involving an overseas traveller who returned from India.
WA Premier Mark McGowan said it was critical that testing rates stayed high in the upcoming week, in the wake of the hotel quarantine outbreak that sparked a three-day lockdown last weekend.
More than 53,000 West Australians have been tested for COVID-19 in the past seven days.
"It's critically important over the next week, as we are still in the period where we haven't fully shaken off the virus yet, that the testing rates stay up," Mr McGowan said.
Coronavirus restrictions in Perth and the Peel region are due to ease from midnight tonight but some will remain in place for another seven days, including rules around face masks.
The latest restrictions
Under the relaxed restrictions, masks will continue to be mandatory for indoor public venues, including workplaces and public transport, but will not be required outside provided people are able to physically distance.
Indoor private gatherings will be capped at 30 people, with no requirement to wear masks, and spectators will be permitted at community sport.
The AFL western derby between the Fremantle Dockers and West Coast Eagles at Perth Stadium on Sunday will also go ahead, albeit with the crowd capped at 75 per cent of the venue’s capacity.
Indoor weddings and funerals will be permitted 200 guests without requiring an exemption, while nightclubs will be allowed to open under the 4-square-metre rule.
Seated hospitality venues including restaurants, cafes, food courts and bars can return to pre-lockdown measures.
Gyms, indoor fitness centres and dance studios may also reopen, but will need to abide by mask requirements and the two-square-metre rule.
The casino will reopen while also adhering to the two-square-metre rule.
Outdoor gatherings of up to 500 people can be held without a COVID-19 event plan.
Mood cautious in Perth CBD
In Perth's CBD this morning, workers remained cautious about the risk posed by the recent outbreak originating from the Mercure Hotel.
Even though Yeash Godagama forgot her mask before heading to work, she said she was happy to continue using them next week because it made her feel safe.
"I'm grateful we're continuing with masks for now," she said.
"It makes life quite easier, it feels like things are going smoothly and we're safe in WA."
Mechanical engineer Daniel Meyer said he thought the government had been moving too quickly with easing restrictions.
"I think it's a bit premature, but it's not too bad," he said.
"They've taken a bit of a weird route with it, it's just been a bit backwards all week – like bars have been open and some other things haven't.
But Wayne Jardine thought the new measures struck the right balance.
ABC News: James Carmody
)"I think it's probably a good move, I think West Australians are now pretty used to it and we're fairly compliant," he said.
Mr Jardine was not a fan of wearing masks but said his mother, aged in her 80s, had perfected comfortable home-made masks.
"She's done sewing all her life, so she just tweaked it and tweaked it until they were great," he said.
What you need to know about coronavirus:
No new local coronavirus cases in WA but one in hotel quarantine as restrictions set to ease - ABC News
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