Australia: Western Australia announces COVID-19 restrictions to end from July 18 /update 30

Event

Authorities in Western Australia (WA) have announced that all restrictions implemented to limit the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) will be removed from July 18. However, due to a spike of cases in Victoria, WA's borders, which were to reopen on August 8, are to remain closed indefinitely. Phase four of WA's easing of measures is to come into place on Saturday, June 27, with caps on gatherings to be lifted, including in pubs, restaurants, and other indoor venues. Social distancing regulations will remain in place, and major venues, such as sports stadiums, will be limited to 50 percent capacity, with a maximum crowd of 30,000 for sporting events at Optus Stadium and 35,000 at concerts.

Previously, on Sunday, June 21, authorities in Victoria state announced that they were extending the current state of emergency for four weeks until July 19, due to a rise in COVID-19 infections. On Friday, June 19, it was announced that restrictions limiting the number of visitors to households to five people, and outdoor gatherings to ten people, would be re-imposed as of Monday, June 22. These measures had been relaxed to allow 20 people to gather both in households and outside on June 1. The announcements follow five straight days of double digit COVID-19 cases being reported in Victoria, with 19 cases recorded on Sunday.

On June 14, authorities in New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria announced plans for further easing of COVID-19 related measures. From June 22, businesses will be permitted to have up to 50 seated patrons indoors and all sports for children will resume. Indoor sports facilities will be permitted to host up to 20 people, with a cap of 10 adults per group. NSW will reportedly ease restrictions on July 1, with the 50-person cap for indoor venues to be lifted, provided guests apply social distancing measures. NSW authorities also announced that nightclubs and music festivals will be permitted to open in August, provided cases stay low. All Australian citizens returning from abroad will be quarantined in hotels for 14 days at the government's expense. Only Australian citizens, returning permanent residents, and their immediate family members are permitted to enter Australia until further notice.

As of June 22, authorities have confirmed 7474 cases of COVID-19 in the country and 102 associated deaths. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected over the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly, and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the virus.