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COVID-19 daily wrap: WA closer to lockdown

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COVID-19 daily wrap: WA closer to lockdown

Mark McGowan says there is still a minority of people not adhering to social distancing rules. Photo: Gabriel Oliveira

23/03/2020 - 16:09

Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan said the state government was considering broadening COVID-19 testing criteria. Mr McGowan warned today there was still a minority of people who were not adhering to social distancing rules.
His announcements comes as WA’s confirmed COVID-19 cases jumped by 20 overnight to 140, as at 3pm today. There has been one death in the state.
WA will go into border lockdown tomorrow, with entries via road, air and sea to be restricted from 1.30pm local time. There will be exemptions for health, emergency, defence and policing personnel. Non-exempt arrivals will be ordered to self-isolate for 14 days. Talks are underway on whether Rottnest Island will become a quarantined zone.
WA’s cafes, restaurants and bars were restricted to takeaway services at noon, after Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the nationwide restrictions on Sunday.
Crown Resorts will close all gaming and food and beverage operations, while its hotel accommodation will continue to be provided but with a reduced capacity. Crown Aspinall in the UK has also ceased operations. Crown is one of WA’s biggest employers, currently with around 6,000 staff in the state.
All non-life threatening elective surgery, including dental services, will be cancelled on Tuesday. Health Minister Roger Cook made the announcement on Saturday, citing efforts to preserve face masks and other protective equipment for healthcare workers, and free up capacity in hospitals.
Mr Cook also announced today a new COVID-19 testing clinic in Armadale had opened up. A further clinic will open up at Rockingham tomorrow, and then Midland and Joondalup on Wednesday.
Australia’s confirmed COVID-19 cases stand at 1,709, as at 3pm today. There have been 313 new nationwide infections since 3pm yesterday. Seven people have died as a result of the virus, while more than 143,000 tests have been conducted in Australia.
NSW is the worst-affected state by the virus, with 704 confirmed cases and six deaths.
Italy is the worst-affected nation by the virus, with more than 5,400 deaths and around 59,000 confirmed cases.