Perth  recently confirmed 2 new COVID-19 cases overnight according to the latest Perth Corona virus update with both cases having been returnees who were overseas, males in their 30’s and 70’s. This has seen the number of active COVID-19 cases in Western Australia escalating to a total of 661 confirmed cases.  In the same manner, Victoria continues to see triple-digit increases although recent days have seen the tallies drop to their lowest with 295 confirmed cases overnight bringing Victoria`s cases to 9304. Although there has been a major drop in confirmed COVID-19 cases, there were still 9 deaths overnight from COVID-19 in Victoria thus bringing the death toll to 92. There are now 5 active cases in Western Australia after a no-infection streak of 7 days.

Meanwhile, Western Australia nurses and paramedics are likely to be called for duty to intervene by helping relieving the tired and sick present healthcare workers in Victoria and Perth as they are battling a second relentless COVID-19 wave. In the meantime, the Western Australian Department of Health is carrying out researches on what is needed in order to send out an alert seeking expressions of interest. Perth has seen medical professionals already been assisting with remote contact tracing for several weeks.

Border Challenge

Western Australia`s  hard border closure with the rest of the nation is unconstitutional with the argument being that there are severe consequences of the closure way beyond just the pandemic. Many people are calling for the Australian Government to provide Australians free movement and thus it should not be prevented.

Health Risk

The government is arguing that opening the state`s borders would pose a high risk of the spread of the virus to the wellbeing and health of the citizens. This came after the appreciation that Western Australia has not had any known community transmission of the virus since April 12.

Business operations

COVID 19 hit business owners around the world hard. This was very severe for small businesses especially. This reality was also true for small businesses in western Australia. Breweries were , government was funding drug and alcohol violence related awareness. Wow!!! This is a very good strategy in the greater movement towards the greater good; industries like these, which thrive on alcohol, were affected. Gyms were empty as people were worried about their current state of well being instead of long run outcomes. Night clubs and bars we're no exceptions in this matter. Since there were strict policies to keep social distancing, these areas we're completely off the table. Bar owners were reporting that they were getting up to 3 months or more without a dime of profit. 

Hope was reignited in July though. After seeing a positive outcome of almost no new cases in June, western Austria was determined to get things back to normal. Restrictivepolicies were stripped close to completely being removed. People could return to the gyms again. Gym owners said they needed to double their stuff members to keep up with the returning customers. Restaurants bars and night clubs were suddenly alive again with people being just being advised to maintain social distance. 

Hospitality venues where there was the 100/300 rule, it was changed to 2 square meters of distance between people. Most sporting events were allowed to accommodate up to 50% of their capacity. They sold allow up to 30000 people to attend such events. this was the moment people were looking forward to because even the local businesses near sporting grounds would benefit. People were encouraged to avoid making visits to remote areas. 

The government urged people to support local tourism businesses. This was given the importance similar to civic duty so as to save business owners from economic free fall. This encouraged broad walk in some sections like the southwest where tourism was boosted by international visitors. visits from local tourists reached a season-high. 

Interstate border

There were plans to reopen the west Australian borders 49 essential travel between them and other States. This was suddenly scrubbed off his the spike in victorious numbers compromised the arrangement. Well this was a move to help save the lives of Western Australians; it was doing it at the expense of interstate businesses. People who depend on the boarders being open were complaining that they might see up to 12 months in total with no profits. And the sporting side, visiting teams would be isolated for 14 days in which they are allowed to play amongst themselves but not with any of the West Australian teams. the police was given clear instructions to clearly monitor border areas and make sure that all allowed visitors would quarantine for 14 days before getting access. 

This was all a great moment for the whole of Western Australia. Unfortunately July came with new problems that would require them to go back to their restrictive policies. The numbers of confirmed cases in Australia reached an all-time high wood forest Western Australia to reconsider most of his promises. 

Policy change in July

In July West Australia studies review that they are getting higher infection rates. For example he wants a two-day period in which nine cases were reported. This way all people returning from places outside West Australia. This leads to a great increase in the amount of G2G passed being requested. all pass applications are supposed to provide sufficient reason as to why they need to travel into Western Australia. This is also accompanied by the increase in police force personnel. these will be responsible for monitoring the interstates travelling. all people travelling into Western Australia are required to carry their own masks. upon arrival on Perth airport you're required to take an immediate test or one within the preceding for 48 hours. He will also be required to take another one on the 11th day in which symptoms I expected to start showing if you are infected. all these attempts are to try and keep Western Australia isolated from the rest of the world to preserve infection rates but 'is it enough?'

Any person entering would have to go to hotel to serve their quarantine time expect clinical staff who will be monitoring the current time. They requested the government to reduce the numbers of new arrivals. This is because of the recent spike in numbers which was a result of people returning to West Australia from other parts of the country or the world. They claim that the resources needed to account for all these people would result in an economic strain on the part of the government. 

They requested the cabinet 2 approve of a hotel fee for the quarantining period to any returning or visiting individuals. This was approved is now in play. 

Investing in Perth

 As mentioned above the COVID-19 virus has had a great impact not only on the infected people but everyone. Perth cannot go unmentioned in this case. A lot of people have been left unemployed and the government is working on employment creation strategies. Western Australia is investing 110.3 million dollars in developing the region. They are investing in sectors like agriculture, hospitality and tourism, renewable energy manufacturing, education and training and construction; areas in which a lot of employment can be created. 

Another attempt to resuscitate the economy involves efforts by the Western Australia government. They are making air fares cheaper to encourage tourism. This is to try and compensate for the lack of international visit which anchor tourism and almost an economy.

Suicide prevention measures and vulnerable individuals’ protection

Another strategic move taken is to pay attention to the threat of suicide rates increasing. The Western Australian government is dedicating upwards of 10 million dollars in culturally informed social and emotional well-being suicide prevention measures. 

Additionally $28.1million is being dedicated to supporting victims of family and domestic violence. These funds will be used to erect accommodation for women's refuges. This is a result of the expected rise in domestic violence emanating from the effects of COVID 19 on lives. 

The construction of accommodation is also underway for the homeless along with an additional financial investment. It is easy to forget that there are people who suffer more in a time when everyone feels like they have it the worst. Fortunately, there are people who understand this and are working towards solving it in Western Australia. 

Western Australia's government is considerate in their attempts to support local PPE producing factories

They are investing 10 million dollars in local PPE manufacturers. This is due to the overwhelming demand for protective clothing like disposable face masks which are to be used by health workers and other people. However given the situation of uncertainty around the world it is not clear if this will be enough to combat corona virus. In such cases they might have to consider importing from other countries as major companies like the M3 fighting 2 supply enough N95 face masks for the whole world.

Rescue for small businesses

As mentioned above small businesses you've been enjoying this blow a lot. The government therefore issued out it runs off 17500 dollars to try and save them. More than 7000 businesses qualified for this move preventing the effects of the firearms hopefully through boosting employment and healthy cash flow.

Due to the world-leading response to COVID in Western Australia, Phase 4 started on Saturday, 27 June (11.59pm Friday, 26 June) and has resulted in further easing of restrictions, including:

  • all existing gathering limits and the 100/300 rule removed 
  • gathering limits now only determined by WA's reduced 2 square metre rule 
  • the 2 square metre rule will only include staff at venues that hold more than 500 patrons 
  • removal of seated service requirements at food businesses and licensed premises 
  • no requirement to maintain patron register at food businesses and licensed premises 
  • alcohol can be served as part of unseated service arrangements 
  • all events permitted except for large scale, multi-stage music festivals 
  • unseated performances permitted at venues such as concert halls, live music venues, bars, pubs and nightclubs 
  • gyms operating unstaffed, but regular cleaning must be maintained 
  • the casino gaming floor reopening under agreed temporary restrictions. 

For WA's major sport and entertainment venues, a 50 per cent capacity rule will apply. Therefore, under Phase 4, the temporary capacity of Optus Stadium will be 30,633 for sport events (35,000 for concerts), HBF Park can hold 10,150 (16,500 for concerts) and RAC Arena can hold 7150 (8250 for concerts). 

Western Australians must continue to keep up physical distancing where possible and good personal hygiene to better protect themselves and the general health of their community.