The Department of Health has recommended that Phase Four of the roadmap out of the COVID-19 pandemic be extended by two months, putting an end to the Perth Royal Show’s hope of going ahead.
Minister for Health, Roger Cook said an extra-cautious approach was necessary given the Chief Health Officer, Andrew Robertson, had advised that it could take two months or longer for the outbreaks in Victoria to be fully under control.
Originally the tentative start date for Phase Five was 17 July but since then the situation in the Eastern States has prompted the Government to extend Phase Four restrictions three separate times, each for a two-week period.
“The Chief Health Officer recommended a further extension of Phase Four by two months, meaning the new tentative start date of Phase Five will 24 October,” Mr Cook said.
He said Phase Five would have resulted in the removal of the two-square-metre rule — designed to ease the burden on businesses compared to the more problematic four-square metre rule being used in other parts of the country.
He said it would also have seen the removal of the 50 per cent capacity limit for major venues such as Optus Stadium.
“In light of this decision, the Chief Health Officer has also recommended that the 2020 Perth Royal Show not proceed,” Mr Cook said.
“From a public health perspective, the Royal Show provides a number of unique challenges and presents too great a risk.”
Premier, Mark McGowan said that given the situation in the east and the latest health advice, proceeding to Phase Five was just not appropriate.
“I know this will cause frustration and problems for some sections of the community, but we are trying to find the right balance here, between protecting our community and keeping our economy as open as possible,” Mr McGowan said.
