After a hotel quarantine worker tested positive for COVID-19, Perth, Peel and the South West will go into lockdown from 6pm on Sunday.
Premier Mark McGowan said the lockdown starts from 6 pm on Sunday and will continue until 6 pm on Friday.
Mr McGowan said authorities received a positive test result from a male hotel quarantine security guard in his 20s at midnight on Saturday at an emergency press conference alongside Health Minister Roger Cook.
There is touch tracing under way.
The man worked at the Sheraton Four Points hotel in Perth, where, with at least three confirmed variant strains, two from the UK and one from South Africa, there were four active cases in hotel quarantine.
On Thursday, the guard developed symptoms, phoned in sick and did not go to work.
He stays in Maylands with three other individuals, all of whom have been put under hotel quarantine.
A negative test has been returned for each, but that is likely to change in the coming days.
Testing clinics for COVID-19 are being ramped up and many will stay open on Sunday until 10 pm.
The immediate contacts of the man were checked and placed in isolation.
Mr McGowan said it was likely that the UK version of COVID-19 was the new case.
“This is an extremely fast-moving situation,” he said.
“I know for many West Australians this will come as a shock. This is a very serious situation and each and everyone of us has to act responsibly”.
Schools will be closed in the lockout areas.
“Today we need to go back to what we know best to ensure that we limit community transmission of COVID-19 in our state,” Mr McGowan said.
“So beginning at 6pm tonight the whole Perth metropolitan area, the Peel region and the South West region will go into full lockdown.
“We cannot forget how quickly this virus can spread nor the devastation it can cause.”
Mr McGowan said West Australians had done so well for so long, “but this week is absolutely crucial that we stay home, maintain good hygiene.”
“Throughout the pandemic the response to the pandemic in WA has been second to none. Now we are asking for your help once again,” he said.
“Act calmly, this is crucial.”
Mr Cook said: “Something went wrong and we need to get to the bottom of that”.
Locations At-risk
Before experiencing symptoms and getting examined, the worker traveled around the area.
The following places he visited. All who was in those regions was asked to be screened for COVID-19 at the time.
- Coles Maylands supermarket from 8pm to 10pm on 25 January
- KFC Maylands from 6pm to midday on 27 January
- Mitsubishi Motors car dealership in Midland from 7 pm to close on 27 January
- On 27 January, from 8pm to midnight, Spudshed, Coventry Village in Morley
- From 11am to 2pm on 28 January, ECU Joondalup
- On 28 January, from 12pm to 5pm, the Consulate General of India on St Georges Terrace in Perth
- Halal Grocery Store in Cloverdale from 7 pm to 9 pm on 28 January
- Venus Ladies and Gentlemen Hair Style Maylands hairdressers from 1 pm to 3 pm On January 29
- Perth Convention Centre from 4pm to 6pm on 29 January
- Nedlands Family Practice GP surgery from 5pm to 6pm on 29 January
- Chemist Warehouse North Perth Pharmacy from 5.30pm to 7.30pm on 29 January
- On 29 January, from 8pm to 9pm,7-Eleven Ascot petrol station
- Coles Maylands Supermarket on January 29 from 8 pm to 9 pm
- Puma Service Station in Burswood from 11am to 12 noon on 30 January.
- From 12 noon to 3pm on 30 January, Coles Express/Shell Service Station in Cloverdale
- Pharmacy 777 from 2.30pm to 4pm at the Maylands Park Shopping Centre on 30 January.
