Health Minister Roger Cook launches COVID-19 warning system launches on Emergency WA website

The State’s main crisis website Emergency WA has been updated to highlight coronavirus hotspots in Perth should an outbreak start.

The website will now feature a “human pandemic iconic” in affected areas.

WA Health Minister Roger Cook said the feature on Emergency WA became live today.

“(This is) another measure the WA Government is putting in place to keep West Australians safe,” Mr Cook said.

“We’ve developed a new COVID-19 warning system. This is a joint development between the Department of Health and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services.

“What we have done is customise the Emergency WA website which has been so successful in issuing community warnings for a range of emergencies.

“The site delivers real-time information during events like bush fires, cyclones and floods.

“The platform can now be used to provide geographically targeted information to communities affected by localised outbreaks of COVID-19.

“We don’t expect it to happen. Obviously, we hope we won’t have to use it. This is new ground for everyone.”

The new feature come after Premier Mark McGowan yesterday announced he would replaced WA’s hard border with a “controlled border” on November 14, reuniting the State with the rest of the country — including NSW and Victoria.

Travellers from every State and Territory will be permitted into WA, with only those arriving from Victoria and NSW required to self-quarantine at a “suitable premise” for a fortnight.

The current exemption-based system will be scrapped. Instead, all interstate arrivals will be screened and have their temperature taken at Perth Airport as they arrive and must be prepared to submit to COVID-19 testing.