This isn’t the place to take refuge

Augusta-Margaret River shire residents are demanding immediate forced State Government travel restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the region.

The State Government has flagged further possible restrictions next week, and a lockdown on the Kimberley was announced yesterday, but Wednesday night’s council meeting heard a slew of questions from residents wanting urgent action to halt a flood of Perth tourists and backpackers heading to the region to ride out the pandemic.

Councillors were on the same page, with Shire president Ian Earl thanking visitors for their support — and asking them now to leave the region. Vasse MLA Libby Mettam told the Times a co-ordinated response was urgent, with similar fears in the City of Busselton.

In a letter to Premier Mark McGowan this week, Ms Mettam said the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River and City of Busselton joined her in “seeking guidance on how such measures could be effectively enforced and whether they can utilise emergency powers to close or limit accommodation in support of this effort”.

“There is high concern in the South West, in particular my electorate ... around how to manage an inevitable influx of visitors during the period of the pandemic,” the Liberal MP said.

“I am therefore seeking your support to provide some restrictions on our major roads via WA Police, appreciating the fact there would need to be a procedure for identifying essential and non-essential travel.

“It would be important that this process is put in place ahead of this Friday (today) given the anticipated movement of visitors to this region ahead of Easter and in light of the effective shift towards home schooling and the school holidays.”

On Tuesday, Police Commissioner Chris Dawson said if social distancing restrictions were not properly followed, stricter controls could potentially stop movement into regional towns.

“If you are in Perth and you are planning to spend Easter in the South West you need to reconsider your plans,” he said.

“People need to think about this carefully. This is not normal, this is a state of emergency. You simply may be stopped.”

The Commissioner said measures had been drafted to restrict movement into the regions.

A spokesman for the Premier confirmed further announcements would be made “in the coming days”.

Many fear this is in no way soon enough. Residents told the Times the WA Government was too slow to act, and the Australian Medical Association urged all residents to live as if a full lockdown was in effect.