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Western Australia, which has not recorded a case of COVID-19 community infection since 11 April, wants to cut down on the number of international flights coming into the state as a safety precaution.
On Monday, WA recorded three new coronavirus cases, all returning Australian travellers from overseas.
The newest cases are two interstate residents who arrived from Indonesia and one West Australian who came in on a flight from Doha in Qatar A further six cases were reported on Sunday. They have now been placed in hotel quarantine.
This brings to 12 the number of active cases in WA. The total number of cases stands at 621.
According to SBS News, more than 1 100 people are currently in quarantine in Perth across five hotels, with many others isolating at home.
Western Australian Premier, Mark McGowan, has now requested Commonwealth approval to cap the number of international flights arriving in Perth. He has suggested only one flight be allowed in approximately every three days.
“My biggest concern is … people coming from overseas, and the numbers and the pressure that puts on our hotels and our security arrangements,” he said.
“That is why I have written to the Prime Minister to ask that we have a cap on the number of flights coming into WA from overseas.”
In another measure aimed at preventing an influx of arrivals, the state government has drafted urgent legislation which would force all returning travellers, including its own West Australian residents, to pay for their own mandatory 14-day hotel quarantine.
“For those West Australians that have been stuck overseas for whatever reason, the desire to come home is now obviously stronger than ever,” McGowan said.