Australian city of Perth enters full lockdown after single Covid case

31 January 2021, 17:06

Mask wearing has become mandatory in Perth after a single Covid case was recorded
Mask wearing has become mandatory in Perth after a single Covid case was recorded. Picture: PA
Nick Hardinges

By Nick Hardinges

The Australian city of Perth has entered a strict five-day lockdown after recording its first and only locally acquired Covid infection in 10 months.

Western Australia - the state in which Perth resides - has implemented tough restrictions in the city, the Peel region and the state’s South West after a security guard working at a quarantine hotel contracted coronavirus.

It is feared the worker may have caught the highly contagious UK variant as he had been working on the same floor as someone with the strain.

The full lockdown came into force at 6pm local time (10am GMT) and will last until Friday night.

Residents are only allowed to leave their homes for essential reasons, such as shopping for food, medical purposes, caring for a vulnerable person or exercising locally.

Schools, bars and restaurants have been made to close along with gyms and cinemas. Mandatory mask-wearing has also been enforced.

Read more: Transmissions will be widespread 'until 2023' - Vaccine Institute chief

One year of Covid-19: A timeline of the coronavirus pandemic

Long queues are seen outside a supermarket in Perth that was designated a potential exposure site
Long queues are seen outside a supermarket in Perth that was designated a potential exposure site. Picture: PA

State Premier Mark McGowan called on Western Australians to rally together to prevent further transmission.

“This is a very serious situation, and each and every one of us has to do everything we personally can to stop the spread in the community,” Mr McGowan told a press conference.

“We have acted decisively and swiftly in these circumstances. In effect, for a short period of time, we are going back to what we experienced in March and April of last year."

The politician added: "I know for many Western Australians this is going to come as a shock.

"We cannot forget how quickly this virus can spread, nor the devastation it can cause.

"Our model is to deal with it very, very quickly and harshly... so that we can bring it under control and not have community spread of the virus as you have seen in other countries around the world."

Read more: Australian Open to allow up to 30,000 spectators per day

Read more: Australia Day 2021 marked with ceremonies and protests

Director of International Vaccine Institute: 2023 will end pandemic

The hotel quarantine security worker is in his 20s and began developing symptoms on 28 January, although it is believed he became infectious on 26 January.

It has also been reported that he worked as a rideshare driver. His three housemates have been moved to a managed quarantine area and are expected to test positive for the virus in the coming days.

Mr McGowan said: “We don’t know how this security guard acquired the virus in the hotel."

Lockdown restrictions will impact around 80 per cent of the state's population, of which roughly two million live in Perth - a popular destination for British expats.

Other state leaders have been contacted and advised not to allow people to enter Western Australia.

On Sunday, Queensland and Northern Territory declared Perth and some surrounding areas a Covid hotspot, meaning arrivals from the region must enter a 14-day quarantine.

Australia - which has a population of about 25 million - has recorded nearly 29,000 infections and 909 deaths since the pandemic began.

Listen & subscribe: Global Player | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

c

'I hope I live to see the day': Ex-political prisoner Vladimir Kara-Murza shares wish to see Putin on trial for war crimes

M5 Motorway, Bristol, UK. 4th July, 2022. A rolling roadblock has been formed to protest the cost of fuel. Protestors have set off from Bridgewater and are holding up traffic by driving slowly along the M5 Motorway. Credit: JMF News/Alamy Live News

Teenager hit and killed in horror M5 collision after fleeing police car named

Exclusive
Putin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza recalls 'longest day of his life' after historic prisoner swap between Russia and West

Putin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza recalls 'longest day of his life' after historic prisoner swap between Russia and West

Mohamed Al Fayed's brother Salah accused of sexual assault and trafficking by former Harrods employees

Mohamed Al Fayed's brother Salah accused of sexual assault and trafficking by former Harrods employees

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson

Man who turned up outside Parliament in armour carrying samurai swords wanted to 'speak with Boris Johnson'

Basem Naim, a Hamas leader

Hamas prepared for 'immediate' ceasefire in Gaza but claims Israel has not offered any 'serious proposals' in months

London, UK. 9 October 2023. Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves speaking during the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool. Photo credit should read: Matt Crossick/Empics/Alamy Live News

Rachel Reeves to 'rip up financial red tape' with pension 'mega funds' freeing up £80 billion for investment

Labour divided over assisted dying as MP who introduced bill hits out at Health Secretary

Labour divided over assisted dying bill as MP tabling legislation labels Wes Streeting's objections 'disappointing'

Reverend Sue Colman was asked to step back after the Makin Report found her and her husband Jason knew about John Smyth's abuse and failed to act

Mustard heir and Church of England minister wife step back from church roles after damning abuse report

File photo of Broadway Market, where the attack took place

Horror as 'man doused in bleach' in busy Hackney market with manhunt underway and attacker still at loose

Former Met Police officer David Carrick pleads not guilty to string of sex attacks including indecent assault against teen

Former Met Police officer David Carrick pleads not guilty to sex attacks including indecent assault against teen

Jack Bradley took part in the failed ram raid

Moment drug addict in 4x4 rams Tesco superstore in failed bid to steal safe, with terrified staff still inside shop

ZM712, a Boeing Apache AH2 operated by the UK's Army Air Corps, departing from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England after participating in the Royal International Air Tattoo 2024 (RIAT24).

Drunken soldiers caught during Apache cockpit romp spark military safety review

Eva Longoria, a Texas native, has said she is 'done' with the US after Trump's second election win

Eva Longoria reveals she has fled 'dystopian' America as Trump names radical right wing cabinet

Dog-free zones should be introduced to tackle racism, the Welsh government has been told.

Dog-free zones needed in countryside to tackle racism, Welsh government told

A 'major' suspected people smugger has been arrested in Amsterdam

'Major' Turkish supplier of small boats for Channel migrant crossings arrested as 'British FBI' swoop in airport