Saturday marks the end of lockdown for more than two million West Australians, despite one new local coronavirus case being detected the previous day.
Premier Mark McGowan announced on Friday the end of the four-day lockdown in Perth and the Peel region at 12:01 am on Saturday, as scheduled.
Temporary restrictions will be enforced for three days, including mandatory mask-wearing indoors and outdoors and capacity limits at hospitality venues.
“This is a great result that every West Australian should be proud of,” the premier told reporters.
“I want to thank everyone for their understanding and patience and for doing the right thing. Lockdowns are tough for everyone, but until we have enough West Australians vaccinated, they are necessary to get outbreaks under control.”
The new case recorded on Friday is a 21-year-old woman who partners with a staff member at the Indian Ocean Brewery.
He tested positive earlier this week after having fleeting contact with a 51-year-old woman who had contracted the Delta variant while holidaying in NSW.
Three other cases were detected this week in Perth’s northern suburbs.
The 21-year-old woman has been in quarantine since Sunday and had returned two negative tests before testing positive on Thursday.
“We do not believe she has been in the community while infectious,” Mr. McGowan said.
Almost 11,000 tests were conducted on Thursday.
Of 383 close contacts identified to date, 356 have tested negative, as have 1725 out of 2848 casual contacts. e first phase of interior visitorsm restrictions from Saturday to Tuesday, private gatherings will be limited to 10 visitors indoors and 20 outdoors.
A four-square meter rule will be in place at hospitality venues with a limit of 20 patrons and seated service only. Weddings and funerals will be limited to 20 guests, as will places of worship. Anyone who travels outside of Perth and Peel must wear masks and not be permitted to dine at hospitality venues.
The second phase of less onerous restrictions will be enforced from Tuesday until 12.01 am on Monday, July 12, when Perth and Peel are slated to return to pre-lockdown life. Masks won’t be required outdoors, and hospitality venues will return to a two-square meter capacity and a limit of 150 patrons. In contrast, major platforms, including Optus Stadium and RAC Arena, can operate at 50 percent capacity.
The lockdown in Perth and Peel is the third in five months.
Tourism operators have warned they face significant financial losses with school holidays set to begin on Saturday. Mr. McGowan said a business support package would be finalized soon.
