McGowan praises “fortress of Western Australian” as the State sees smallest Coronavirus growth in more than a month.
WA has recorded its lowest daily number of COVID-19 cases since testing began.
Premier Mark McGowan said WA was becoming a “leading light” in how to contain the virus, both nationally and internationally
But Mr McGowan said despite the good news, restrictions would be in place “in some form” for six months.
WA’s positive cases
The three cases confirmed overnight were all West Australians based in the metro area, Mr McGowan said.
“None from Artania,” he confirmed.
“Two are from cruise ships in the Mediterranean, the other we’re tracing trying to work out where they got it.”
The three new cases join the 517 confirmed in WA since testing started.
“Of that 68 from Armania, so that really means 449 West Australians have been infected so far,” Mr McGowan said.
“Around 239 recovered, this Leaves 278 who are still suffering the illness in Western Australia, of which 38 are in hospital.”
Restrictions are working
Mr McGowan said the small overnight case growth was “very encouraging” and while conceding some “tweaks” could be made to restrictions, stressed they largely needed to remain in place.
“We continue to be hampered by people coming back from overseas and this will continue to be a threat factor for WA,” he said.
“It will be at least six months of restrictions of whatever form. We have strong borders with eastern stated and regional borders, and this combined with international restrictions together has given WA a lot of hope.”
While confirming the border restrictions would be reviewed monthly, Mr McGowan said the measures were expected to go on for six months.
“The border restrictions are most important thing we’ve done by creating this fortress of Western Australia in which we are protected,” he said.
Record low cold and flu cases
While there was anxiety leading up to winter about the rise of the flu compounding the health crisis, Mr McGowan said there had been record lows of cases.
“This is because people are social distancing,” he said.
“It’s quite a strange phenomenon that’s going on.”
Behaviour over Easter weekend
Mr McGowan said people were “retaining their distance” from each other in spaces like the beach.
“The Police Commissioner informs me people have been behaving relatively well in Western Australia,” he said.
“Certainly the police commissioner advises me people have been (listening to advice).”
Mr McGowan said west Australians had “done themselves proud” over the weekend and the messages were getting through.
Getting West Australians home
Mr McGowan conceded for West Australians who were quarantining in hotels over east after returning from international locations, getting back to WA would be a challenge.
“Getting them home is not easy,” he said.
“Virgin has essentially stopped, Qantas has wound back its flights so much that it’s very difficult to get flights home for these people.
“I’ve been in touch with the Prime Minister and other premiers about trying to get flights up, there’s National moves on that… the state might need to work with Qantas to support flights or underwrite flights to get people from the east home but also to get west Australians back here.”
Tenancy laws in parliament this week
Mr McGowan said he was “almost certain” commercial tenancy laws would be ready for debate by Wednesday.
“If we have laws ready for residential tenancies we’ll introduce them this week but we can’t be sure they’ll be ready,” he said.
“I’m almost certain laws regarding commercial tenancy will be ready for debate by Wednesday.”
The laws will “provide assurance” and opportunity to negotiate outcomes between landlords and tenants.
Cruise ships pass Fremantle
Mr McGowan confirmed of the seven cruise ships that were on their way to WA, five of them have passed Fremantle and were now “significantly” north of the state, with the other two making their way round the South West coast.
“When they’ve all cleared Australian waters we’ll all breathe a sigh of relief,” he said.
“I’d like to see them gone as soon as possible.”
Mr McGowan confirmed the Artania, still docked off Fremantle, was expected to take off back to Europe on April 18th.
Watch: Premier Mark McGowan giving an update on the COVID-19 situation in Western Australia.
More Perth coronavirus coverage on SoPerth.com.au
