Perth and Peel are facing a range of restrictions following a positive coronavirus case in a woman who entered Western Australia from Sydney.
Health Minister Roger Cook confirmed the latest infection this morning and said the woman aged in her 50s had been out in the community while infectious for three days.
From 12pm today, Perth and Peel will move to strict measures, including masks being required indoors and on public transport.
READ MORE: Four new COVID-19 cases in the Northern Territory spark 48-hour lockdown
A 150-person cap for public events has been introduced and private gatherings will be capped at 30 people.
Several major events have been cancelled including the Chicken and Beer Festival in Perth, while no crowds will be allowed at this afternoon's AFL match between West Coast and the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium.
Mr Cook said authorities believed the woman caught the highly infectious Delta strain of COVID-19.
The woman travelled to Sydney on June 15 and was in the Bondi area on June 18.
She visited the Life Café in Bondi on June 19 and returned to Perth with her husband on June 20.
READ MORE: NSW records 30 new COVID-19 cases on first day of lockdown
She returned a negative result on June 21 but started to develop symptoms on June 24.
She tested positive overnight.
The woman is a physiotherapist who had treated patients, visited a primary school and a pub, Mr Cook said.
Restrictions explained
From midday today, the following rules will apply to Perth and Peel for the next three days:
- Mandatory masks: Masks must be worn at all indoor public venues, on public transport and outdoors when unable to socially distance
- No large public events: Events of more than 150 people will be cancelled or played without crowds from today. This includes the AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Western Bulldogs
- Household limits: No more than 30 people will be permitted to gather inside homes
- Two-square metre rule is back: Hospitality venues, entertainment venues including casinos, places of worship, retail, gyms, swimming pools and hairdressers can all remain open but must abide by the two-square-metre rule
- Weddings and funerals: These events can proceed but are limited to a maximum of 150 people
- Community sport is allowed to continue.
- Hospital visits: A maximum of four visitors will be permitted to visit patients in hospital each day and mask wearing is mandatory for all staff and visitors.
- Travel to remote Aboriginal communities is restricted.
Timeline of woman's infection
The gap between the Perth physiotherapist's visit to a Bondi café and it being listed as an exposure site by NSW Health is to blame for the woman potentially spreading the infection in the Perth community, according to Mr Cook.
The woman in her 50s "did nothing wrong" and abided by all public health advice upon her return to Western Australia, including getting tested for COVID-19, Mr Cook said.
That initial test returned a negative result.
Here's a breakdown of the woman's movements from the time she left Perth:
- June 15 – began her trip and spent time outside of the Sydney area
- June 18 – went to Sydney and spent time in the Bondi area visiting her son
- June 19 – had lunch at Lyfe Café in Bondi with her son and husband
- June 20 – returned to Perth
- June 21 – returned negative test result so was permitted to return to community, as per WA's border restrictions at the time
- June 22-23 – worked as a physiotherapist and visited a school, a gym and a brewery
- June 24 – started developing symptoms
- June 25 – she did not go to work or leave home; she realised that the Lyfe Café in Bondi has been listed as an exposure site and arranged testing
- June 26 – got tested for COVID-19; positive result came back positive late that night
