Western Australia records one case of COVID-19

Under the state’s controlled border arrangements, travel from those states to WA will not be permitted unless approved under extraordinary circumstances.

“The border changes are based on health advice in light of the rapid growth in cases in both Queensland and South Australia,” Mr McGowan said.

The state has recorded one new case of COVID-19, Premier Mark McGowan said.

This case is a 27-year-old man who is a backpacker.

“So far we know he was a close contact of an existing case,” Mr McGowan said.

“He shared a bathroom with that person. That man is not vaccinated.

“It is believed he has been infectious in the community, so therefore there are further exposure sites.”

Mr McGowan said the details of these exposure sites will be uploaded on the WA Health website.

Mr McGowan said it was “widely acknowledged” at today’s emergency National Cabinet meeting that WA is in “a very different position” compared to other states and territories.

“While WA has agreed in principle with the changes to testing and close contacts, these new settings will only be implemented in Western Australia at a later stage,” he said.

“With thousands of daily cases (in other states), Western Australia is not in that position.

“That is accepted and understood at National Cabinet and therefore WA will continue with our existing testing, isolation and close contact settings for the time being.

“The Premier said if the state needs to move to the national settings, that is what they will do.