Shadow Minister for Health Zak Kirkup has expressed his horror at revelations the Labor Government has handed exemptions to nearly 7000 people to skip strict 14-day quarantine rules that have been implemented to safeguard Western Australia against a community outbreak of COVID-19.
“This shows once again that the Labor Government’s hard border is a myth and it is pure luck that Western Australia has not been exposed to the devastation of a mass outbreak of COVID-19 like Victoria has experienced,” Mr Kirkup said.
“Responding to a question without notice yesterday in the Legislative Council, the Government was forced to reveal it had allowed 6661 exemptions up until August 10. It means 6661 people did not have to quarantine for 14 days.
“That’s 52 people every day since April 5 who have roamed our streets potentially with COVID-19.
“This should concern every single person in Western Australia. It is simply staggering that so many exemptions have been granted. More than 42,000 people have passed through WA’s borders after coming in one planes. And thousands more have crossed the land border.
“This lax approach is exactly why the Liberal Party has called for the establishment of an independent expert rapid review committee to determine a threat assessment of the risks of COVID-19 entering Western Australia.
“The people of Western Australia need to be reassured that the Labor Government has the protocols in place to be able to act swiftly if we get a community outbreak of COVID-19.
The public has the right to know if the government can guarantee that what is happening in Victoria won’t happen here.
“I wrote to the Health Minister last Friday and have not heard back. I remain hopeful that the government will support my motion and implement this concept in the spirit which we offer it, which is to ultimately help protect the health of all West Australians.”