Western Australia could be in a state of emergency until the end of the year, according to Police Commissioner Chris Dawson, who has warned the Victorian situation could “easily” be replicated in Perth if people are not vigilant.
Key points:
- WA’s Police Commissioner “can’t say” when the state of emergency will end
- The next easing of restrictions due on August 1 may be delayed again
- There are calls for all airport interstate arrivals to be tested for COVID-19
A state of emergency has been in place in WA since mid-March and can be reinstated every fortnight.
It grants the WA Government, the Police Commissioner and the Chief Health Officer the power to enforce quarantine and self-isolation measures.
“We’ve got to plan, I think, for months ahead at the moment, and whether it extends beyond a year I can’t say,” Commissioner Dawson told 6PR radio.
“I don’t have a crystal ball but at the moment, I can’t see much happening to lessen the current state that we’re in for the rest of this year.
“But again, I’ve got to assess that every fortnight.”
Commissioner Dawson said the current situation in Victoria and New South Wales had shown the community could not be “apathetic”.
“You’ve seen other places w