COVID-19 latest updates from CME
Since the State Government’s announcement earlier this afternoon, NSW Health have advised of a further 12 locally acquired cases, bringing the total number of cases to 17.
Last updated – 9.12 AM, Friday 18th December
As a result, WA’s Chief Health Officer has consulted further with NSW Health and the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) and has provided updated advice to the Western Australian Government on WA’s controlled interstate border and the evolving situation in New South Wales.
An emergency meeting was held this evening between the WA Premier, the Minister for Health, Chief Health Officer, Commissioner of Police and the Director General of Health to determine the next course of action.
The State Government will now take further steps to prevent COVID-19 coming into the WA community. Based on the health advice, NSW will now transition from a ‘very low risk’ State to a ‘low risk’ State under WA’s controlled interstate border:
Effective from 12.01am Friday (tonight), December 18:
- anyone arriving from New South Wales will now be required to self-quarantine in a suitable premise for 14 days;
- these arrivals will also be required to be tested for COVID-19 on day 11.
Anyone who has arrived from NSW from December 11 or was in NSW from December 11 and subsequently arrived in WA before 12.01am Friday, December 18 will be required to follow updated arrangements, which include:
- the requirement to self-quarantine in a suitable premise as soon as possible;
- to present for a COVID-19 test as soon as possible;
- return to self-quarantine until a negative test result is confirmed;
- undertake a further test on day 11 after arrival in WA.
The State Government said it was taking these extra cautious steps, based on the most up-to-date expert health advice.
CME is closely monitoring the situation around the emerging COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney and what the ramifications will be for resources sector workers returning from New South Wales.
We are liaising closely with WA Health authorities in order to keep members informed on the situation and what steps may be necessary to keep operations going safely and effectively. We understand, where necessary, relevant operators with recently returned NSW travellers are moving to implement their COVID site response plans in earnest.
WA Premier Mark McGowan issued the following instructions this afternoon, with immediate effect:
- anyone who has arrived from or transited through NSW since December 11 and subsequently arrived in WA needs to self-quarantine in a suitable premise as soon as possible;
- impacted individuals are required to present for a COVID-19 test within the next 24 hours;
- they will then need to return to self-quarantine until a negative test result is confirmed;
- anyone arriving directly from Sydney Airport or from another Australian airport having been in NSW on or after December 11, from this point forward must take a COVID-19 test, either at Perth Airport on arrival, or at another COVID clinic within 24 hours and follow the same self-quarantine requirement until a negative test result is confirmed.
- anyone who has arrived from NSW since December 11 will be contacted by WA Police with these instructions, as a result of the G2G Pass declaration system in place in WA.
CME understands this has the potential to pose logistical challenges for members with operations in remote and regional areas to meet the requirement for COVID-19 testing within a 24-hour timeframe. These challenges have been made known to WA Health authorities and WA Police, and in the interim the following advice is offered:
- Where possible, arrange for impacted individuals to perform an accredited COVID PCR test on-site. Accredited means under pre-approved PCR testing protocols with appropriate medical supervision, eg as endorsed by the CHO under FIFO Detect or separately.
- Alternatively, where there is not on-site capacity to perform a COVID test ‘in situ’, advice is as follows:
a) If practical and safe (ie within journey management protocols), impacted individuals should be supported to drive by the most direct route to the nearest public COVID clinic to be tested. And thereafter self-isolate in appropriate accommodations until the result is returned.
b) If a) is not practicable or safe, an alternative is to engage an accredited health provider to transport an accredited PCR test to the site/operation to perform the test ‘in situ’ (and return it to a lab for results). Note: CME’s preliminary discussions with private pathology providers accredited under FIFO Detect is they have capacity to support this option, where it is required.
CME acknowledges this is a rapidly evolving situation and will keep members informed of further developments, including formal release of new directions. In the meantime, please contact media@cmewa.com should you have any questions.
COVID WA Helpline:
1800 020 080
For the latest official updates on COVID-19 please visit https://www.australia.gov.au/ and https://www.health.gov.au
For information on mental health support please visit https://www.lifeline.org.au/ or call 13 43 57