No new cases as WA set to extend emergency measures

Western Australia has recorded no new cases of COVID-19 overnight as the state government prepares to extend its emergency response powers into January.

That comes as two new cases were reported in hotel quarantine overnight from returned travellers from India.

The Department of Health yesterday confirmed a man in Collie had returned a 'weak' positive result on his COVID-19 test. 

It is thought that case is historical; the man and several of his close contacts have since isolated and will be tested again at a later date.

While the absence of new cases is likely to push the state government's hand to ease restrictions in the coming week, Premier Mark McGowan today said the government would seek a six-month extension of its emergency powers.

That includes its ability to shut the state's border, require travellers to quarantine for 14 days, and implement social distancing measures.

It also includes the ability for police officers to hand out penalities, including 10 years' jail time, for those who cough or spit on frontline officers.

"This new Bill will ... allows us to employ measures that have proven to keep Western Australians safe as we are confronted by an emergency unlike anything we have ever seen before," Mr McGowan said.

"Parliament acted sensibly to ensure these protective powers were initially in place for 12 months, but it is now clear they require a second six-month extension so we can crush the virus and keep WA safe.”

There are 26 active cases of COVID-19 in WA.

People aged 50 and over are now eligible to receive their COVID-19 vaccine. More than 100,000 Western Australians have now been vaccinated against the virus, with 2.3 million doses administered nationally since February.