[121] The Government response to the interim report was published in November. The upgrade has been postponed to 1 October 2020. 23 March 2020 - first lockdown announced. ", "The Government wants to track us via our phones. [184][185] Also on 27 November, the 2021 National Multicultural Festival in Canberra was postponed from its usual February dates to " by late 2021". [126], On 6 July, the Victorian and NSW governments announced that their interstate border would be closed from the start of 8 July. [157] Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced that coronavirus restrictions were intended to be lifted faster, in time for a "Covid-normal Christmas". By the time WA emerged from its toughest period of restrictions, which lasted between March 29 and April 28, it had unknowingly eliminated community transmission of the virus after previously recording 16 cases of unknown transmission. Schools were prevented from organising gatherings of over 500, including swimming and sports carnivals, interschool carnivals, performances, concerts, exhibitions, fetes and fairs. The doctor in his 70s had returned to Australia from the United States on 29 February. [55][56] From 7 January masks were only required in higher risk places, such as hospitals and public transport. Latest updates Keep up to date with latest news and advice. Masks are mandatory from 6pm tonight, Friday 23 April 2021 for Perth and Peel residents. The cluster grew by three additional family members on 31 December. Schools within the lockdown area (which were anticipated to open the following day) remained closed and reopened the following week. [127], On 7 July, after recording 191 new cases, Premier Andrews announced that metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire would re-enter lockdown for a minimum of six weeks from 12 a.m. on 9 July. The only remaining restriction is travel to remote Aboriginal communities. The Government will pay half each centre's operating costs. Most of the 850 passengers flew home from Perth to Germany on 2829 March. This chronology summarises key announcements from state and territory governments on COVID-19 up until 30 June 2020. While likely to have been infectious the guard visited several locations in the community, raising the possibility of another lockdown in Western Australia. [112] The same day restrictions were re-tightened in Victoria, the Western Australian Government announced the state would move into "Phase 4" from 27 June, permitting some of the most relaxed restrictions in the country. ), On 20 July, the number of daily overseas arrivals allowed at Sydney Airport was reduced from 450 (since 5 July) to350. [44] Voyager of the Seas also docked that day. ", "First WA coronavirus case flown to Perth for treatment after evacuating Diamond Princess ship", "Agency Advisory #3 COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease)", "WA confirms first novel Coronavirus death", "Coronavirus quarantine rule prompts WA threat of $50,000 penalty as panic buying intensifies", "Western Australia, South Australia to close borders in response to coronavirus pandemic", "New COVID-19 restrictions on travel within WA as big queues form on WA/SA border ahead of closure - ABC News", "Kimberley coronavirus case spike sees shire borders closed to protect the vulnerable from COVID-19", "Coronavirus sees WA close its borders from midnight on Sunday to stop COVID-19 spread from eastern states", "No new coronavirus COVID-19 cases in WA for the first time in more than five weeks", "Artania cruise ship leaves Fremantle after fatal coronavirus outbreak on board", "WA eases coronavirus restrictions to allow 10-person gatherings", "Premier reveals restaurants, regional borders to reopen", "WA unlocked to travellers as almost all regional restrictions set to end for long weekend", "One in four metre square rule set to be scrapped in WA next weekend", "WA eases restrictions as NSW residents urged to avoid travel to Melbourne as it happened", "WA bars, cafes, restaurants and festivals to return to 100 per cent capacity", "Complacency blamed as WA's phase five restrictions pushed back to August", "Phase 5 restrictions in WA delayed by weeks", "Easing of coronavirus restrictions delayed as WA remains on 'high alert' due to Victorian outbreak", "Perth Royal Show axed as WA's coronavirus phase 5 restrictions pushed back by two months", "Coronavirus crisis: Mark McGowan reveals delay to phase five restrictions due to outbreak threat", "WA venues to adopt mandatory contact register from December 5 amid coronavirus risk", "COVID lockdown announced for Perth and South West after quarantine hotel worker tests positive", "NSW orders West Australian arrivals into five-day lockdown to stop spread of virulent UK strain", "States begin responding to WA coronavirus case, Queensland, NT, Vic, ACT declare affected region a hotspot", "WA Premier says masks will remain compulsory in Perth despite lack of new COVID-19 cases", "Masks off as COVID-19 restrictions lift in Perth, Peel regions amid no new cases", "WA coronavirus lockdown ends, Premier Mark McGowan unveils $43m package to help small businesses", "Perth lockdown for three days will see Anzac Day services cancelled, residents urged to stay indoors", "Lockdown ends in Perth and Peel as no new community cases recorded", "Trans-Tasman bubble: Travel paused between New Zealand and Western Australia due to Covid-19 outbreak", "Hotel security guard, household members test positive to COVID-19 in WA", "Western Australia regions of Perth and Peel face nervous wait as Premier Mark McGowan flags possible lockdown", "WA Premier Mark McGowan announced new restrictions as COVID cases climb", "Police access SafeWA app data for murder investigation, prompting urgent law change", "WA to move to phase five of COVID-19 plan as hospitality restrictions removed", "State-by-state travel restrictions as NSW outbreak grows", "WA Health authorities report woman's death in hospital, vaccine history sent to TGA", "COVID-19 vaccine weekly safety report - 08-07-2021 @ Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP)", "NSW woman's blood clot death linked to AstraZeneca vaccine", "Restrictions imposed on Perth, Peel region after woman tests positive for COVID-19 after NSW trip", "Perth and Peel plunged into lockdown after another local coronavirus case detected", "How life will change on WA border open date, when a raft of COVID restrictions will take effect", "Western Australia to reopen border on 5 February after almost two years sealed off from the world", "Mark McGowan delays WA border reopening indefinitely over Omicron fears", "WA records one new local case of COVID-19 following Perth Mess Hall rave", "Eased public health measures from 6am, Tuesday 4 January", "WA mask mandate extended in wake of growing backpacker COVID-19 cluster", "Tasmania and ACT elevated to high risk under WA's controlled border", "COVID-19 coronavirus: Controlled border", "Masks reintroduced as WA records five new local COVID-19 cases amid Omicron spread in Perth", "Mask mandate extended to South-West as doctors call for stricter restrictions to tackle Omicron", "Premier Mark McGowan announces delay to WA border opening amid fears Omicron will 'cripple' state", "WA records 10 new COVID-19 cases, but testing numbers plunge on Australia Day public holiday", "WA border opening date is March 3, as Mark McGowan announces new COVID restrictions", "WA COVID state of emergency laws pass first hurdle after bitter debate", "WA's COVID-induced state of emergency is ending. [63], From 31 January, proof of vaccination was required for entry to hospitals, aged care facilities, hospitality and indoor entertainment venues across the state. South Africa will enter a nationwide lockdown for 21-days with effect from midnight on Thursday 26 March 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa said. For the following four days some restrictions such as: mandatory face masks in public; some venue closures; and number restrictions for public and private gatherings, remained in force, but travel beyond the Perth and Peel areas was allowed. [196], By 20 December 30 new cases were reported in Sydney, with 28 being linked to the Avalon RSL club and Avalon bowling club within the Northern Beaches cluster. In response the Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan labelled Palmer an enemy of the state. This is encouraging news," said Premier Mark McGowan. Perth and the outer-metropolitan Peel region are plunged into a three-day lockdown after a traveller spent five days in the community while infectious, after completing 14 days of hotel quarantine. [64], As of 30 March, at least 440 passengers (211 in New South Wales, 71 in South Australia, 70 in Queensland, 43 in Western Australia, 22 in the Australian Capital Territory, 18 in Victoria, three in Tasmania and two in the Northern Territory) from Ruby Princess had tested positive for the virus. [182], On 24 November, Victoria recorded no active cases in the state for the first time since 29 February. [7], By 6 February, three returning members from a tour group in Wuhan were identified in Queensland. [citation needed] On 19 May, the 19th resident died from coronavirus. [68], On the evening of 31 March, six baggage handlers from Adelaide Airport had tested positive. [53], On 24 March, one passenger from Ruby Princess had died and 133 on the ship had tested positive. South Australia: capped at 200. Anyone who has been in the Region since 12 January must also follow the mask rule. Gatherings of up to 100 people permitted indoors, and 300 outdoors. [168], On 26 October, the "second wave" ended when Victoria recorded zero new cases and zero deaths statewide for the first time since 9 June 139 days. [86], On 30 April 2020, the ACT declared itself to be free of all known cases of COVID-19, the first Australian jurisdiction. [citation needed], In late September a report from Ernst & Young stated that pandemic related border restrictions could result in a shortfall of 26,000 farm workers to pick fruit and vegetables over Australia's summer harvest season. On 23 January, biosecurity officials began screening arrivals on flights from Wuhan to Sydney. Outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people were allowed. They were eligible for subsidised childcare of up to 100 hours per fortnight till 4October 2020. [43], "Overnight" on 24 June 2021, a 61-year-old woman died in Royal Perth Hospital from immune thrombocytopenic purpura, which was later linked by the Therapeutic Goods Administration to her Astra-Zeneca vaccination in early June. [124] The Victorian ombudsman later found the lockdown of the public housing towers breached human rights laws, tabling her report in Victoria's Parliament on 17 December 2020. Such work is typically reliant on overseas staff, such as backpackers and seasonal workers from the Pacific Islands. Learn. The clinic was closed over the weekend and patients were contacted to self-isolate. 28 June 2021 - Perth & Peel COVID-19 Lockdown from 29 June to 2 July 2021 Listen 26 April 2021 COVID-19 Perth and Peel Restrictions from 27 April Listen 5 February 2021 - COVID-19 Perth & Peel Restrictions from 8 February Listen 31 January 2021 - COVID-19 Lockdown Perth, Peel & South West Region Listen 2020 First Day of Stay at Home Order Observances First Day of Stay at Home Order was only observed in the year 2020. Perth was deserted as social distancing measures took hold. [135], From 22 July in Victoria visitations to aged care/ health care settings were restricted to carers only and a limit of one hour per day. The lockdown, announced in a televised address to the nation on Monday night, is part of efforts to curb the rapid spread of the Coronavirus in the country. [130], On 12 July, the free Federally funded childcare introduced on 2 April 2020[72] ended, and the Federal Child Care Subsidy was reintroduced. Up to 10 guests were permitted at weddings, funerals could have up to 20 mourners indoors, 30 outdoors. [30], In response to the lockdown, health authorities in the Australian Capital Territory, Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Victoria declared the affected areas to be COVID-19 hotspots. This figure was later revised to $70billion when an error of estimation came to light. Genome sequencing in Victoria earlier this month revealed more than 90 per cent of the states deadly second wave could be traced back to a breach in hotel quarantine at The Rydges on Swanston hotel, where a security guard became infected from a returning traveller. . Western Australians must continue to wear masks in public at indoor . New arrivals from WA had to have a COVID-19 test within 48 hours, or undergo 14 days of quarantine. Fri, 23 April 2021 3:19PM. The 78-year-old man, from Perth, was a passenger on board the Diamond Princess, a cruise ship that was forced to quarantine in the Japanese port of Yokohama. This means the whole of Western Australia returns to the pre-lockdown conditions, as experienced prior to 6pm on Sunday, 31 January. Instead of entering mandatory quarantine at their own expense, the women were active in the community and infected three other confirmed cases. Gatherings of up to 20 people permitted. [77][78] By 9 May, there had been 69 COVID-19 cases linked to the facility, 32 staff and 37 residents. . Residents could receive vouchers worth up to A$40 per day. [65] As of 31 March 2020, five of them had died, one in the Australian Capital Territory, two in Tasmania, one in New South Wales and one in Queensland. Phil Mercer. [40] New South Wales Liberal senator, Andrew Bragg, was the third Australian politician to test positive. [192] Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly had designated the region a COVID-19 hotspot in line with the National Cabinet's guidelines, which designates a metropolitan area a potential hotspot if it registers 30 or more community transmissions within three days. [30], Victoria confirmed nine new cases, one of which was the first case of human-to-human transmission in the state. Under the restrictions, masks remained mandatory indoors and outdoors in the Perth and Peel regions, unless people had a medical exemption, or were doing vigorous exercise outside. Also on 16 March, the 2020 National Folk Festival in Canberra was cancelled.[37]. The outbreak, which includes 12 cases to date, could not be ruled out as having been sparked by two women who allegedly lied on their border declaration passes to enter Queensland in late July after visiting Melbourne. The state is also on alert for possible cases linked to the NT mine worker, with at least three flights from Perth carrying 252 workers from the Granites mine between June 18-25. Sir Peter Fahy, the former chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, said the approach taken by Mr Hancock and other ministers during Covid caused 'huge resentment'. [62], On 27 January, the mask mandate was extended to the Wheatbelt and Great Southern regions. [81], On 13 April, the Tasmanian government closed the North West Regional Hospital and North West Private Hospital for cleaning, and put the entire staff of over 1,000 people and their families into quarantine. [75], On 6 April, the Department of Health revealed that 2,432 people recovered from the infection as the federal government started reporting recovery statistics. Struck from 1oz of 99.99% pure silver, this superb investment coin portrays John M. Mercanti's sixth artistic impression of a wedge-tailed eagle. [9] The number repatriated from the ship are included in the state totals as follows: Qld (3), SA (1), Vic (4), WA (2, one of whom died on 1 March). The president of the Australian Medical Association WA, Mark Duncan-Smith, believed that the state's hospital system was not ready for the borders to be reopened. 31 March 2020 COVID-19 update - 31 March 2020 The Department of Health has reported nine new cases of COVID-19 overnight, bringing the State's total to 364. [4][5][6], Nine cases were recorded in January. [60], On 17 January mask wearing rules were extended to WA's South West Region. "[117] An interim report was published on 6 November,[120] and the inquiry's final report was published on 21 December. [57], As of 12.01am on 3 January, WA declared Tasmania and the ACT to be "high risk" locations. [4], Western Australia confirmed its first case of COVID-19 on 21 February 2020, a man who was evacuated off the Diamond Princess cruise ship and flown to Darwin. But just eight hours after the Monday morning press conference, Perth and Peel was placed in a four-day lockdown because of a third case, a man in his 30s who was a casual contact of Case 1022. Further to an announcement by Premier Mark McGowan this afternoon (Friday 23 April 2021) Perth and Peel will go into lockdown for three days, from midnight tonight until midnight on Monday 26 April 2021. A post-lockdown transition will be in place for the Perth and Peel regions until 12.01am Saturday, May 1 to keep Western Australia safe. A fine of A$200 applied to those not complying, though there were some exemptions. "Every jurisdiction has been learning as it goes, weve never been exposed to this before and so youve got to give the government the credit for doing as good a job as they could with the evidence thats available to them," he said. A man in his 30s had not travelled overseas but did travel outside of the ACT. [47] Measures included mandatory mask wearing on public transport and indoors, re-introduction of the 2-square-metre rule for public venues, and limits on gatherings. [108], On 7 June, a man travelling from overseas to the Australian Capital Territory was diagnosed with coronavirus. [149][150][151], On 3 September 2020, the human biosecurity emergency period in Australia under the Biosecurity Act 2015 (Cth) was extended by the Federal Health Minister until 17December. Mr Hancock did say this, but it was not until 23 March 2020 that Boris Johnson told the country that people 'must' stay at home and certain businesses must close. [95], On 9 May, two Victorian cases were announced to be related to McDonald's Fawkner. People queued for pubs and shops that opened at. The COVID-19 pandemic in Australia is part of the ongoing worldwide pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).The first confirmed case in Australia was identified on 25 January 2020, in Victoria, when a man who had returned from Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, tested positive for the virus. [58], As of 5January2022[update] the Northern Territory was classed as medium risk, while New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria were classed as extreme risk. [71], Also on 2 April, the Federal government announced the temporary provision of free childcare so that people could continue working, and to prevent closure of childcare centres. For border entry, special exemptions and 14 days quarantine were required. [125], From 5 July, at the request of the NSW Government, the Federal Government introduced restrictions on the number of passengers arriving at Sydney Airport. [14], MVArtania departed Fremantle on 18 April following a standoff with state and federal governments over responsibility for the care of passengers and crew. [190], On 11 December, the V451 vaccine being developed at the University of Queensland was abandoned after trials revealed that while safe, it triggered false positives in HIV screening tests. A lockdown from 6 pm on 31 January to 6 pm on 5 February was declared for the Perth, Peel and South West regions. Two of his seven housemates, both food delivery drivers, then tested positive. [114][115][116], On 2 July, the Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced the "Judicial Inquiry into Hotel Quarantine Program". [1], On 25 January, the first case of a SARS-CoV-2 infection was reported, that of a Chinese citizen who arrived from Guangzhou on 19 January. The latter is often called a lockdown. [199], On 21 December, New South Wales health authorities reported 15 new cases, bringing the total number of cases in Sydney's Northern Beaches cluster to 83. September 6,. [46], On 27 June at mid-day, restrictions in the Perth and Peel regions were tightened for at least three days after a woman tested positive after she visited a known COVID-19 hotspot in Sydney on 19 June, returned to Perth on 20 June and tested positive on 26 June. [85], On 27 April, the Federal government announced A$94.6million of support was available for zoos, wildlife parks and aquariums in financial difficulties due to coronavirus restrictions. [13] On 6 April, school holidays started one week earlier than planned. The states quickly enacted a variety of restrictions against travellers from WA who arrived since 25 January including requiring COVID testing, 5 to 14 days of self or supervised quarantine, and Victoria forbidding entry without a permit. The first human case of COVID-19 in Australia was identified in Melbourne in January 2020. [82], On 14 April the Federal government announced the "COVIDSafe" digital contact tracing app. For Perth and Peel regions, the 150 person capacity for events applies. [9] Gatherings of more than 500 people were banned. Chief executive of the Australian Hotels Association WA, Bradley Woods said: "We estimate over $100 million revenue and sales has been lost as a result of this shutdown ". Western Australia has recorded one new local case of COVID-19 on the first day of a snap lockdown in metropolitan Perth and the Peel region. . Start date End date Length (days) Start date End date Length (days) Start date End date Length (days) . The four-day lockdown of Perth and the Peel region in Western Australia lifted on Saturday, 3 July, with the last of coronavirus restrictions lifted on Monday 12 July. [45] On the same day, the cruise ship Ruby Princess discharged 2,700 passengers in Sydney. [138], On 1 August, the 2020 Tasmanian Legislative Council periodic election, deferred from 30 May, took place. McGowan said that since 31January more than 102,000 COVID-19 tests had been done in WA. Boris Johnson has publicly spoken out about Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Brexit deal; ministers briefly considered ordering all domestic cats in Britain to be killed during COVID, a former health . Those already in quarantine were not charged, nor those who purchased flights and had a confirmed international arrival date before 11:59 p.m. 12 July 2020 AEST. [16] Another confirmed case on this day was a 40-year-old man from Launceston who came back on 29 February from a flight which left Melbourne and landed in Launceston on the same day. [159], Canberra's 2021 Summernats 34 car festival was "delayed" in late September 2020 until January 2022. Australia's largest city, Sydney, has emerged from Covid lockdown after almost four months, with locals celebrating a range of new freedoms. A McLaren Formula One team member on the now-cancelled Australian Grand Prix tested positive for the virus. [172], On 31 October 2020, Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan announced that from 14 November, Western Australia's hard border policy would be eased, enabling residents from states and territories deemed very low risk (i.e. Schools and childcare centres remain open until the school holidays, though some jurisdictions have brought forward the end of the term. PM Modi makes a televised address to the nation of 1.3 billion-plus people. How Irish Eurovision fans can get tickets for song contest in Liverpool as release date is confirmed. WA will go into border lockdown tomorrow, with entries via road, air and sea to be restricted from 1.30pm local time. This teacher, a woman in her 50s, was confirmed to be the partner of an individual who was on the same flight from the US that the general practitioner (GP) of Toorak Clinic was on.