Fremantle Area Community Info & Chat

06/02/2022

We want to make sure everyone who needs to be tested for COVID-19 - gets tested.

Western Australians can now apply for the $320 Test Isolation Payment if they are required to isolate while awaiting a COVID-19 PCR test result and lose income.

The payment is also available to eligible parents, guardians and carers who have lost income because their child, or someone they care for, has been directed to isolate while awaiting a COVID-19 PCR test result.

Payment eligibility will be backdated to 23 December 2021 to cover those Western Australians who needed to get tested and isolate while awaiting a test result because of the Delta Backpacker Cluster.

For more information, including full eligibility criteria, visit http://www.wa.gov.au/government/publications/covid-19-coronavirus-test-isolation-payment

03/02/2022

New exposure sites

New exposures site have been identified in Perth, Murdoch, Canning Vale, Coogee, Burswood, Gosnells, Fremantle and Morley.

Anyone who was at one of these exposure sites during the relevant time must get tested immediately and isolate until you receive a negative test result, unless directly advised otherwise by the Department of Health.

Please continue to check the most up-to-date list of exposure sites online at https://www.wa.gov.au/government/covid-19-coronavirus/covid-19-coronavirus-locations-visited-confirmed-cases

To find your nearest COVID Clinic for testing, visit www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/covidclinics

23/01/2022

IMPORTANT: A number of COVID-19 clusters have been identified across Perth, including in Manning, Willagee, Coolbellup, Cockburn, Haynes and Safety Bay, and surrounding areas.

As a result of these clusters, contact tracers have identified new exposure sites over the past couple of days, with more to come.

If you live, work or have visited one of these areas, please check the exposure list online, monitor for symptoms and get tested.

You can find the most up-to-date exposure list online at https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Coronavirus/Locations-visited-by-confirmed-cases and https://www.wa.gov.au/government/covid-19-coronavirus/covid-19-coronavirus-locations-visited-confirmed-cases

To find your nearest COVID Clinic for testing, visit www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/covidclinics

17/01/2022

New exposure sites have been identified in Midland, Swan View, Mundaring, Cannington, Northbridge, Beedelup, Margaret River, Forest Grove and Booragoon.

Please continue to check the most up-to-date list of exposure sites online and follow the relevant testing and quarantine instructions.

This list can be found at https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Coronavirus/Locations-visited-by-confirmed-cases and https://www.wa.gov.au/government/covid-19-coronavirus/covid-19-coronavirus-locations-visited-confirmed-cases

To find your nearest COVID Clinic for testing, visit www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/covidclinics

16/01/2022

In addition to the two local cases already announced, I can confirm as of 1pm today, WA has reported a further three local cases so far today.

It’s clear the number of cases of the Omicron variant is growing, and so is the risk to the community.

The three new local cases will be included in tomorrow’s update. Two of these local cases have also been linked to U Natural Spa Therapy in Applecross.

I implore anyone who has visited this business between the 7th and 13th of January to please come forward and get tested immediately.

Do not hesitate, do not assume you are fine because you have no symptoms. You must go get tested.

What we know from the Omicron experience over east is that you can be carrying the virus with you, and have no symptoms. So don’t leave it until it is too late – go get tested now.

In light of the growing number of cases in WA, today we are raising the alarm. We need everyone in Perth and Peel to take this situation very seriously.

We now have community spread of Omicron in Perth - we know it spreads fast and easily. The spread of Omicron is serious and requires a serious response.

So, I have an urgent plea for anyone in Perth and Peel who is unwell to go get tested immediately and isolate until you have a negative result.

Additionally, In light of the spread of Omicron in our community, we need to implement new public health measures.

Based on the latest advice from the Chief Health Officer, as of 6pm tonight we will be reintroducing the mask mandate for all public indoor venues in the Perth and Peel regions.

The mask mandate will not apply to the home, and will not apply for people doing vigorous indoor exercise or children under 12.

We know that masks have a significant impact in helping stop the spread of this virus. It’s important we all do our bit to help limit the spread.

Particularly given the number of local cases we have picked up this weekend alone – we have to assume there are more cases of Omicron in our community.

So, let’s mask up in all indoor public venues, use SafeWA, and get tested if unwell or you have been to an exposure site.

We’ve called on Western Australians to take action before, and you’ve heeded our calls, today we ask you to take action again.
We need to act now, without delay.

05/01/2022

New potential exposure sites has been identified in Fremantle and Victoria Park - as well as the Blue Cat bus between Fremantle to South Beach and South Beach to Fremantle Markets.

Please continue to check the most up-to-date list of exposure sites online and follow the relevant testing and quarantine instructions.

This list can be found at https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Coronavirus/Locations-visited-by-confirmed-cases and https://www.wa.gov.au/government/covid-19-coronavirus/covid-19-coronavirus-locations-visited-confirmed-cases

To find your nearest COVID Clinic for testing, visit www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/covidclinics

02/01/2022

WA Health has confirmed that, as of 10am this morning, WA has recorded one new local case and six cases related to returned travellers.

The new local case is a quarantine hotel security guard and is not linked to the Delta backpacker cluster. There were no new cases related to the Delta backpacker cluster recorded overnight.

The guard returned a positive test result as part of a daily routine oral swab, undertaken as part of his employment. He is vaccinated and is being transferred to hotel quarantine. Three identified close contacts, who are all asymptomatic, are isolating and being tested.

Investigations are underway as to how he contracted the virus, including genomic sequencing to determine what variant he has.

Based on the most available information from contact tracers, it is likely there are a limited number of potential exposure sites from this case as a result of early detection. Exposure sites will be released as soon as possible, once confirmed.

The six cases related to returned overseas and interstate travellers are all in quarantine.

With zero new cases related to the Delta backpacker cluster, the total number of cases related to this outbreak remains at 16.

We've now identified 767 close contacts with 12 yet to be tested and 1425 casual contacts with 228 yet to be tested.

The State’s total number of COVID-19 cases now stands at 1168, with 1119 people recovered.
There are now 39 active confirmed cases in WA.

Our contact tracing team is working to identify exposure sites and follow up contacts – but we need you to do the right thing and get tested.

If you have been to an exposure site you need to come forward immediately.

Please continue to check the list of potential exposure sites and follow the relevant testing and quarantine instructions. This list can be found at https://www.wa.gov.au/government/covid-19-coronavirus/covid-19-coronavirus-locations-visited-confirmed-cases.
A list of testing clinics can be found at http://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/covidclinics.

02/01/2022

WA Health has confirmed that, as of 10am this morning, WA has recorded two new local cases and one case related to a returned traveller.

The new local cases are close contacts of a recent case and are in hotel quarantine. Contact tracers commenced interviewing these cases overnight. Additional exposure sites will be released as they come to hand.

This takes the number of cases related to this outbreak to 16.

The one case related to a returned traveller is also in quarantine.

WA Health has now identified 775 close contacts, with 18 yet to be tested, and 1781 casual contacts, with 234 yet to be tested.

The State’s total number of COVID-19 cases stands at 1161, with 1117 people recovered.
There are now 35 active confirmed cases in WA.

Our contact tracing team is working to identify exposure sites and follow up contacts – but we need you to do the right thing and get tested.

If you have been to an exposure site you need to come forward immediately.

Please continue to check the list of potential exposure sites and follow the relevant testing and quarantine instructions. This list can be found at https://www.wa.gov.au/government/covid-19-coronavirus/covid-19-coronavirus-locations-visited-confirmed-cases.
A list of testing clinics can be found at http://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/covidclinics.

27/12/2021

⚠️ New potential exposure sites have been identified in South Fremantle, Fremantle and the Perth CBD, as well as the Armadale/Thornlie train line between Perth and Burswood ⚠️

Please continue to check the most up-to-date list of exposure sites online and follow the relevant testing and quarantine instructions.

This list can be found at https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Coronavirus/Locations-visited-by-confirmed-cases and https://www.wa.gov.au/government/covid-19-coronavirus/covid-19-coronavirus-locations-visited-confirmed-cases

To find your nearest COVID Clinic for testing, visit www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/covidclinics

26/12/2021

⚠️ New potential exposure sites have been identified in Forrestfield, Perth, Northbridge, Scarborough, South Fremantle and Warwick, as well as the 990 bus route between Perth and Scarborough ⚠️

Please continue to check the most up-to-date list of exposure sites online and follow the relevant testing and quarantine instructions.

This list can be found at www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Coronavirus/Locations-visited-by-confirmed-cases and www.wa.gov.au/government/covid-19-coronavirus/covid-19-coronavirus-locations-visited-confirmed-cases.

To find your nearest COVID Clinic for testing, visit www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/covidclinics

23/12/2021

Today I can announce that Western Australia has recorded a new local case of COVID-19 - a backpacker from Queensland.

The man - Case 1,133 - travelled to WA on December 12, when Queensland was classified as a ‘very low risk’ jurisdiction – meaning he was not required to be tested prior to arrival.

He arrived just before our border controls with Queensland were strengthened at 12.01am Monday, 13 December.

After developing symptoms, he went to get a test. This morning, his test returned a strong positive.

His girlfriend is symptomatic, and has been tested and moved into hotel quarantine, as well as the four people he has been living with.

A number of potential exposure sites have been identified across Perth, including in East Perth, Mirrabooka, Joondalup, Girrawheen, Perth and the CBD, Subiaco, Northbridge and Scarborough – with more likely to be identified in the coming days.

A comprehensive list can be found at https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Coronavirus/Locations-visited-by-confirmed-cases and www.wa.gov.au with all the specific exposure dates and times.

If you have been to any of the exposure sites – or if you are feeling unwell – it is important to get tested.

Clinics are in the process of being ramped up. They will stay open tonight until 10pm, and will keep operating throughout Christmas and Boxing Day.

Health staff are working to piece together a clearer picture of the level of risk to our community, but as we know, when it comes to COVID, the situation can change very dramatically and very quickly.

That is why it is important we take immediate steps to limit any potential spread until we get a better understanding of the level of transmission from Case 1,133.

So, from 6pm tonight, until at least 6am Tuesday December 28, the following rules will apply across Perth and Peel:
- Masks will be mandatory in all public indoor settings, including workplaces, shopping centres, hospitality venues and public transport
- The mask mandate will not apply to the home, and will not apply for people doing vigorous indoor exercise
- We are recommending masks be worn outside when you cannot physically distance - so we are urging people to use common sense
- High risk, large public events like music festivals will be cancelled during this period and all nightclubs will be closed. All dancing will be banned, except for weddings
- In addition, the mask rules will also apply to anyone who has been in Perth or Peel since Thursday, 16 December and are now located in a different part of the State
I know this is not the news we wanted to hear two days before Christmas, but unfortunately this is the reality of COVID-19.

No matter how hard our border controls – the virus can sneak into WA.

We now need to face the potential of community transmission in Perth and Peel.

That’s why I’m asking everyone – to please do the right thing.

While our contact tracers and testing staff do their work – we all need to do our bit.

Let’s follow the rules, wear a mask, and get vaccinated if you haven’t already - and please go and get tested if you're unwell or have been to an exposure site.