The government will decide tomorrow if quarantine-free travel between Western Australia and New Zealand can resume.
Photo: AFP
The lockdown of the Perth and Peel region will end at midnight tonight after Western Australia recorded no new community spread of coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours.
The travel arrangement between New Zealand country and the state was paused last week, when community cases emerged.
Covid-19 Minster Chris Hipkins said further advice from health officials will be considered before a decision on whether to resume quarantine-free travel is made.
He said he wants to make a decision as soon as possible, to give certainty to passengers booked on the next flight from Western Australia, due to leave tomorrow night.
Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan said while people were free to leave their homes and return to work and schools would be open as usual, some interim restrictions would remain for the next four days, including the mandatory wearing of face masks for adults.
Masks will not be mandatory for primary school students, but secondary school students will need to wear them.
Staff at primary and secondary schools will need to wear masks.
But the four-square-metre capacity rule will apply, with a limit of 20 patrons not including staff.
Lockdown has 'done the job': Premier
McGowan said it was a "fantastic result".
"The short three-day lockdown has done the job it was designed to do - it was the circuit-breaker we needed to limit community spread," he said.
"Western Australians have done their bit to keep our community safe."
Two people had been confirmed to have contracted Covid-19 via community transmission after the infection of a Victorian man while he was in Perth hotel quarantine.
More than 13,000 coronavirus tests were conducted yesterday, bringing the total tests conducted to 29,963 since Friday.
The Premier said following emergency meetings this morning with the state's Chief Health Officer and Police Commissioner, a step-down approach would be put in place for easing restrictions
"We need to be cautious as we come out of lockdown as the virus could still be out there," he said.
Other interim restrictions in place
Under the interim rules, masks are mandatory both indoors and outdoors, but in addition to primary school children, they will not be required for anybody vigorously exercising or for those who are exempt.
Visits to hospitals, aged care and disability care facilities are restricted to compassionate grounds only, while community sport can proceed but without spectators.
Universities will be open for online learning only.
All public venues including hospitality and entertainment spots can open, except the casino, nightclubs and indoor fitness venues, but McGowan acknowleged they would still be impacted by the four-square-metre capacity rule and limit on patrons.
"I know this makes it tough for many businesses," he said.
"But it's important we are cautious and ease off restrictions in line with health advice."
- ABC/ RNZ
