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Businesses adjust to snap lockdown

Jake Dietsch, Chloe Fraser & Holly ThompsonSound Telegraph
Steel Tree @ Sunset owner Clint Wilcox.
Camera IconSteel Tree @ Sunset owner Clint Wilcox.

The Rockingham and Kwinana communities have been doing their part to help stop COVID-19 in its tracks.

Premier Mark McGowan announced the Perth, Peel and South West regions would go into lockdown for five days from Sunday after a hotel quarantine guard tested positive after visiting a number of locations in Perth’s northern suburbs.

The restrictions have seen businesses across the community shut, with popular parks and stretches of foreshore deserted as locals help stop the disease from spreading.

Only essential services remain open, with restaurants only allowed to sell takeaway.

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The owner of Steel Tree @ Sunset Clint Wilcox said while there was no forewarning, he accepted that “that’s what life is today”.

“We’re still open for takeaway, which we’ve got to do as our rent’s quite high,” Mr Wilcox said.

“It’s a bit different to the last lockdown because there’s no one here.

“Because it’s a five-day period, people think they can stay at home for five days. But if it’s never-ending like last time, if there’s no end date, people I think will come out.”

Mr Wilcox said the vast majority of people had been doing the right thing, with only a few failing to wear a mask.

A woman rides along Rockingham foreshore wearing a mask.
Camera IconA woman rides along Rockingham foreshore wearing a mask.

Chandlers Kitchen owner Damon Chandler described the foreshore as a “ghost town”.

“There’s no one around, its like a ghost town,” he said.

“It’s very different to the last time people were told to stay at home.

“Trade has been shocking for most people (on Monday). Some days I have 12 staff on, but I’m obviously not doing that now.

“It will be interesting to see what people do over the next few days (whether they stay open or not) because businesses have obviously lost money.”

All City of Kwinana facilities have been closed to the public including the Administration building, community centres and library, the Recquatic facility, the Zone youth centre, the Edge Skatepark, Kwinana Adventure Playground and all other parks and playgrounds.

While the Customer Service reception area will be closed, staff will operate a call centre remotely. Waste collection will continue.

In Rockingham, all the City's essential services will continue and bin day will remain the same. All City facilities are closed for the duration of lockdown, including the Administration building, leisure facilities, libraries, playgrounds, dog parks and skate parks. 

All events have been cancelled for the duration and citizenship ceremonies have been postponed.

Mayor Barry Sammels encouraged residents to take a “calm and measured approach” to lockdown and any development.

Rockingham Police Station officer-in-charge acting Senior Sergeant Gavin Lang said for the most part it was “business as usual”.

“ Except for some restrictions for attending the front counter at the station, we are still patrolling and attending jobs,” he said.

“As far as enforcement we are focusing on compliance through understanding and co-operation. This also involves giving masks to vulnerable people.”

Sen. Sgt Lang said he asked people to educate themselves in relation to the lockdown. 

“Read the media releases, and do not rely on social media gossip,” he said.

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