(Reuter) Western Australia state reported no new domestically acquired COVID-19 cases for the second straight day on Monday, allaying fears of a second lockdown in two weeks after three new coronavirus cases were detected over the weekend.
The fresh cases forced officials to ban crowds at a local football match on Sunday and shut nightclubs till the end of this week in state capital Perth, which had emerged just days ago from a snap lockdown over a single case.
“We’ll review over the course of the coming day, particularly in light of test results, how issues are going and as to whether or not we can expire some of those restrictions at that point in time,” state Premier Mark McGowan informed reporters in Perth.
State authorities on Saturday had flagged the possibility of a hard lockdown in Perth, Australia’s fourth-largest city after a hotel quarantine security guard and two of his housemates tested positive for COVID-19.
Though no stay-at-home orders were issued, individuals were asked to wear masks when they step outside of their homes.
Snap lockdowns, border closures, and speedy tracking systems have helped Australia to keep its COVID-19 numbers relatively low, with just over 29,800 cases and 910 deaths.
Last week, Australia banned all travelers coming from India from entering the nation, including Australian residents and permanent residents, following a massive surge in cases in the world’s second-most populous nation. Offenders will face hefty fines and even up to 5 years in jail.
Direct flights from India have been halted till May 15.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison mentioned the travel rules will be constantly reviewed and repatriation flights from India will be restored as soon as it was protected to bring people again home.
