The WA Government is planning to restrict travel between Western Australia’s regions to halt the spread of Covid-19 and people are being advised to cancel holiday travels within the state.
“Our new border restrictions have helped put a complete stop, a major stop, or major restriction, on any unnecessary travel interstate,” Premier Mr McGowan said. “I also want to expand that advice across Western Australia … that means that any unnecessary intrastate, internal travel in Western Australia needs to be avoided.”
Mr McGowan said the stricter travel restrictions within the state would help to stop the spread of the virus and better protect some of WA’s most vulnerable residents.
“We’ll be putting in place restrictions on the movement between Western Australia’s regions,” Mr McGowan said. “Clear guidelines around this will be released soon. Essential travel cannot be avoided. That is understandable, but we need to avoid everything else.”
Mr McGowan conceded the travel restrictions on the state’s nine regions would be met with complaints, acknowledging the measures were ‘extreme’.
“That will be devastation for hundred of thousands of businesses and you don’t make that decision lightly,” he said. “I’m asking West Australians for their understanding during this very, very difficult time. This measure we’re putting in place in the future will protect our regional citizens, especially the elderly and especially Aboriginal people.”
The Premier also said a full state lockdown was ‘constantly under consideration’.
“That will be no doubt a discussion over the coming days and weeks but just understand the consequence of that — we’re going to make millions of people unemployed,” Mr McGowan said.
The travel announcement came as massive queues formed on the WA/SA border, as travellers rushed to get back into WA before today’s early afternoon deadline.
Mr McGowan said it was now too late for tourists.
“If you are a tourist and want to come to WA, it’s too late,” Mr McGowan warned. “Please don’t come!”
