SYDNEY, April 26 (Xinhua) — The state of Western Australia (WA) announced to end the snap lockdown of Perth and Peel regions from midnight Monday with some new rules coming into force from Tuesday.
“Interim restrictions will come into force from midnight tonight allowing us to take a steps down approach after the three-day lockdown. We need to be cautious as we come out of lockdown as the virus could still be out there,” WA Premier Mark McGowan told press.
The post-lockdown transition will be in place from Tuesday until midnight of May 1. Under the new rules, there will be a 20-person limit for private indoor and outdoor gatherings. Wearing masks will continue in public while at work and on public transport unless some exemptions like vigorous outdoor exercise. Visits to hospital, aged care and disability care facilities will be restricted to compassionate grounds only.
Schools and childcare centres will open, while mask-wearing is required for all school staff and secondary students, but not primary school students or staff when teaching. Universities will open for online learning only.
All public venues including hospitality, entertainment and retail can reopen, except for the casino and nightclubs and indoor fitness venues. A four square metre rule will be in place for this period only.
The state’s decision came after recording zero locally acquired case in the past 24 hours. Despite the positive sign, WA is still on high-alert and some new exposure sites have been added to the community warning list.
Perth and Peel entered a three-day lockdown from last Saturday after a man in the neighbouring state of Victoria was tested positive after 14 days of quarantined in Perth. Enditem