McGowan defends mask mandate as cases hold steady

Western Australia’s mask mandate looks set to remain, despite growing concerns it is deterring people from returning to the CBD, as the state recorded 8,731 new COVID cases and two deaths overnight.

Data released by WA Health this morning shows there are now 211 COVID positive patients in hospital, seven of whom are now in intensive care.

Two historical deaths were also reported, including a man in his 70s and a man in his 80s.

The latest figures take the total number of active cases across WA to 53,751.

During a press conference this morning, Premier Mark McGowan said hospitalisations and intensive care admission numbers were tracking well below those predicted as part of the latest health modelling.

Under that modelling, the state was expected to peak at 10,000 daily cases, with 443 hospitalisations, 56 COVID-positive patients being treated in ICU and three deaths per day.

As the state entered its first day of eased health restrictions and increased capacity limits, the state’s peak property industry body called for an end to the mask mandates.

The call came just weeks after data showed Perth’s office occupancy rates had plummeted, sitting at just 55 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.

It was, however, still the highest of all Australian cities.

Mr McGowan urged employers to welcome staff back to work, but defended the decision to maintain the mask mandate for the time being.

“Mask wearing will be required for a period of time - it reduces the spread of the virus and keeps people safer,” he said.

“A lot of people do it in any event, even without the mandates, because they know it reduces the prospect of catching COVID, particularly while our case numbers are high. 

“That's a requirement at this point in time.

“In terms of the city, I just urge people and workplaces to have people come back to work. 

“I think the major problem in the CBD is that a lot of workplaces are telling their staff to work from home and the more staff that go to work and therefore support local retail and hospitality, the better.

“You know, in an ideal world, we wouldn't be wearing masks, but you know, you're wearing a mask because you know that it reduces the prospect of you acquiring COVID - irrespective of whether or not we have the mandates in place. 

“They prevent the spread of the virus and they reduce the pressure on our hospital system whilst we're at 8,000 to 10,000 cases a day. 

“It's necessary and, eventually, as soon as we can remove the requirement, we will.”