Home

Use the Safe app

Warren HatelyAugusta Margaret River Times
Wyl + Co owner Brittany Chadwick says compliance with the SafeWA app has improved since the weekend lockdown.
Camera IconWyl + Co owner Brittany Chadwick says compliance with the SafeWA app has improved since the weekend lockdown. Credit: Warren Hately

Authorities are begging Capes residents to take the SafeWA app seriously. Check-in at venues has waned in recent weeks, and the snap lockdown in Perth and Peel showed the information provided through the app was key.

Shire of Augusta-Margaret River president Ian Earl said he had no time for “selfish and self-entitled people who don’t want the Government to know where they are, but they are all on Facebook”.

Shire of Augusta-Margaret River president Ian Earl was critical of those who’d become lax with their check-ins, and even more for people who resented the app used by contact tracers in the event of community transmission of COVID-19.

Cr Earl told the Times he had no time for “selfish and self-entitled people who don’t want the Government to know where they are, but they are all on Facebook”.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

After lockdown ended on Monday, Premier Mark McGowan also reiterated his call for West Australians to use the app.

Mr McGowan said he “could not stress enough” the hindsight value of tracing data.

“We mobilised contact tracing as quickly as possible to piece together the whereabouts of people so we can warn people who may have been exposed to the virus,” he said.

“SafeWA is so pertinent to our new way of life so we can continue to enjoy the freedoms we have in WA.

“Please, this is a shared responsibility — everybody has a role to play to keep WA safe.”

A quick survey of local stores and supermarkets showed residents and mask-wearing visitors were still frequently ignoring the check-in.

Wyl + Co owner Brittany Chadwick said compliance notably improved after the latest lockdown, but some customers were still confused about the requirements in the South West.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails