WA’s snap lockdown has ended as planned after no further community cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed.
Residents of Perth and Peel, the region south of the city, can leave behind the strictest of the measures imposed to control a cluster that originated in hotel quarantine but will continue to live under significant restrictions throughout the week.
Since the lockdown began on Friday, there have only been two cases of community transmission detected in the state.
But Mr McGowan said WA needed to be “cautious as we come out of lockdown as the virus might still be out there”.
He said some rules would remain in place until Saturday morning.
Western Australians are advised to keep working from home if they can and universities are restricted to online learning but schools TAFE and childcare will go back.
Masks will remain mandatory in public, including at work, except for some exceptions such as those doing vigorous exercise and primary school children.
Venues can re-open except for gyms, nightclubs and casinos. Those that can open will have to ensure four square metres of space per person.
Only 20 people will be allowed in homes, hospitality and entertainment venues, recreation centres and pools.
“I know this makes it tough for many businesses … but it’s important we remain cautious,” Mr McGowan, said.
Visitors to hospitals and aged care facilities are restricted to compassionate grounds only.
The two cases confirmed on Friday caught the virus from a man who had been in hotel quarantine but didn’t test positive until he had completed his 14 days, spent several days in and around Perth and flown to Melbourne.
Since Friday, almost 30,000 WA residents have come forward to be tested.
Mr McGowan apologised for the state’s lockdown, saying he was “very sorry it had to happen”.
“I want to thank everybody who has done the right thing. This lockdown has been disruptive,” he said.
“I want to stress one more thing. If you are unwell, if you have any symptoms, please get tested.
“If you have been to any of the exposure sites, go and get tested. Even if you have received a negative result, get tested again if symptoms develop,.”
WA Health Minister Roger Cook said non-urgent elective surgery at public hospitals would be rescheduled for the next four days as the lockdown ends.
“We hope it is only a temporary measure and we seek your understanding and patience,” he said.
He said there had been 3.4 million ‘check-ins’ on the Safe WA coronavirus tracking app over the past few days.
“There is no room for complacency,” he said.
“As we move into the next phase of restrictions, please continue to use the Safe WA application.”
This content first appear on 9news