News Articles for Roger Cook

Arrivals from Victoria face mandatory 14-day hotel quarantine at their own expense in Western Australia while travellers from NSW will be tested immediately.

Western Australia has recorded eight new cases of coronavirus, pushing the state's active caseload to its highest point in five weeks.

Anyone who flies into Western Australia from coronavirus-stricken Victoria will be immediately tested for COVID-19 when they land and travellers from NSW could be next if the outbreak there worsens.

Western Australia will delay easing its final COVID-19 restrictions by at least two weeks as it monitors the outbreak in Victoria, which recorded 228 COVID-19 cases overnight.

Western Australia will tighten its border with the east coast from midnight as coronavirus cases continue to grow in Victoria, which reported 165 new infections overnight.

International arrivals into Western Australia are being capped at 525 people each week to avoid straining the state's COVID-19 hotel quarantining system.

ADCO Constructions has secured further work with the state government, this time to complete the $61.4 million redevelopment of the Newman Health Services centre.

The state government has ruled out bringing forward phase five of eased COVID-19 restrictions by one day to boost attendance at an AFL game in Perth.

Ramsay Health Care is proposing a redevelopment of Peel Health Campus in an effort to help meet increasing demand for health services in the region.

The federal government has refused an exemption to its live export ban that would have allowed 56,000 sheep to be transported to the Middle East, and they will now be sent to abattoirs in Western Australia.

Upgrades to the emergency department at Peel Health Campus will resume later this month, with the works awarded to Canning Vale-based contractor Devlyn Construction.

Restrictions on visiting hours at Western Australian public hospitals aimed at slowing the spread of coronavirus will be partially eased next week.

UPDATED: Six more members of the crew on a livestock ship docked in Western Australia have tested positive to the coronavirus, bringing the total to 12.

The state government will lift regional travel restrictions in time for the long weekend, with Premier Mark McGowan urging Western Australians to travel within the state and support local businesses.

Premier Mark McGowan has criticised a push by the NSW and federal governments for Western Australia to reopen interstate borders, citing the eastern states' inconsistent health advice and high rates of community transmission.

Western Australia has officially moved into the second phase of lifting some of its coronavirus restrictions, while recording no new infections and two recoveries overnight.

The state government has said it will allow public and private hospitals to increase elective surgeries to 50 per cent of normal activity as of Monday, following new guidelines set today by the national cabinet.

WA businesses must prepare a COVID Safety Plan before reopening next week. Some cafés and restaurants as well as community facilities will reopen and non-contact community sports will resume. WA reported zero new coronavirus infections overnight.

The state government is providing special assistance for universities and local councils. A new scheme has been announced to help the mining industry. Western Australia has reported no new coronavirus infections.

WA has reported its sixth consecutive day of no new coronavirus infections. Prime Minister Scott Morrison says coronavirus restrictions are costing the Australian economy $4 billion each week. The National Cabinet is expected to ease some restrictions on Friday.

WA has reported its fifth consecutive day of zero coronavirus infections. Roger Cook has warned Western Australians cannot become complacent, despite four more recoveries overnight. There are 15 active cases in WA.

Adarsh Australia has been awarded a government contract to produce up to 10,000 face shields for Western Australia's surgeons and ENT specialists, boosting the state's supply of critical protective medical equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The National Cabinet has brought forward its decision to ease restrictions. The federal government will inject a further $205 million into aged care. Western Australia has reported zero new coronavirus cases overnight. The state government will launch a COVID-19 testing program in schools.

The state has recorded one coronavirus death and two infections overnight. Roger Cook has urged Western Australians to only leave home for essential purposes. Scott Morrison says social distancing measures will not apply in classrooms.

The state government has awarded Malaga company Wild Child Laboratories a $1.7 million contract to produce hand sanitiser for the state's hospitals.

Western Australia marked its second day without any new COVID-19 cases, Health Minister Roger Cook said around a quarter of all deferred elective surgery may resume as of next week, and the federal government announced its intentions to stockpile $100 million of fuel.

Roger Cook has revealed which procedures will be given priority when elective surgery resumes next week. WA has reported only one coronavirus case overnight. Regional WA will gain rapid virus testing that will produce results within an hour.

Western Australia's coronavirus cases remain static at 545, a first for the state since February 21. Temporary restrictions on takeaway alcohol sales have been lifted. National cabinet to consider resumption of elective surgery tomorrow.

Australia's coronavirus restrictions will remain in place for four weeks. Health Minister Roger Cook has announced an expanded COVID-19 testing program in WA. The state has reported two new infections and an extra case from the Artania cruise ship.

WA has reported 14 new infections, including two more healthcare workers in the Kimberley. Premier Mark McGowan has urged Western Australians to stay at home over Easter. Police will patrol Perth beaches over the long weekend.

Fini Group has lodged a development application to build a new $200 million medical and commercial precinct at Murdoch, highlighted by the state's first medihotel, but the project is at least a year behind its original schedule.

The federal government's $130 billion wage subsidy package clears its first hurdle, Western Australia records an additional 11 cases of COVID-19, and Premier Mark McGowan pledges millions to expand the state's police force.

WA has recorded two new coronavirus deaths. The federal government has announced a new mandatory code of conduct for landlords. Its $130 billion JobKeeper scheme is expected to pass parliament tomorrow.

WA confirms seven new COVID-19 cases and records its fourth death. The Westin Perth hotel will be used to quarantine health care workers. WA gains $5.5 million in PPE equipment. New rules have been announced to help charities.

Health Minister Roger Cook said testing criteria for COVID-19 would expand as of tomorrow, 28 new cases in WA overnight; Premier Mark McGowan aired his grievances with the Artania cruise ship, and Andrew Forrest pledged $160 million towards procuring medical supplies and increasing testing in WA.

Andrew and Nicola Forrest's Minderoo Foundation is flying in tonnes of medical supplies from China and increasing Western Australia's capacity to test for COVID-19, as part of a rescue package announced today.

The state government has announced new deregulated COVID-19 testing laws and a $1 billion economic health system stimulus package, while Health Minister Roger Cook revealed nine new coronavirus cases.

The state government has unveiled $184 million in initiatives to boost crisis support and provide rent relief for small businesses and not-for-profit groups impacted by COVID-19, while the City of Perth has also announced a rent-free period for tenants in city-owned buildings.

UPDATED: Woodside Petroleum has dropped plans for a 14-week fly-in, fly-out roster after presenting the option to its staff, opting instead for a less radical change as the oil and gas giant, along with mining companies, seeks to reduce the amount of travel to its remote sites.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announces further restrictions for international arrivals, Health Minister Roger Cook confirms 24 new cases of COVID-19 in Western Australia, Premier Mark McGowan announces a ban on regional travel, and Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston proposes new rules to help mineral exploration companies.