Western Australia has recorded no new local cases of COVID-19 since yesterday, Premier Mark McGowan has announced on day three of the Perth and Peel lockdown.
The four-day lockdown began on Tuesday after three cases of coronavirus were found in the city's northern suburbs.
The first case, a 51-year-old woman who contracted the virus in Sydney, has been confirmed to have the highly contagious Delta variant of the virus.
Yesterday the government announced a 37-year-old man had contracted the virus at the Mobius Health and Performance gym in Joondalup last week and was in quarantine.
The Premier said 15,809 COVID-19 tests were conducted yesterday and the next 24 hours were crucial, with the lockdown scheduled to end at 12:01am Saturday.
"We cannot afford to get complacent," he said.
"So I'm appealing to every Western Australian: We need you to get tested.
"If you're experiencing symptoms, if you've been to an exposure site — even if you've returned a negative test and then subsequently developed symptoms — I want you to get tested again."
Almost 300 close contacts negative
Mr McGowan said 360 close contacts of the confirmed cases had been identified, and of those, 295 had so far tested negative.
In addition, 2,503 casual contacts had been identified, and 1,173 of those had so far tested negative.
"We want to find as many potential contacts as possible," he said.
"When it comes time to lift restrictions, we want to be confident this incredibly infectious virus, the Delta variant, is not still in the community."
As well as appealing to people to get tested and vaccinated, Mr McGowan also urged West Australians to support small businesses.
"These are tough times for small businesses," he said.
"Today and tomorrow, if you can, please support a local small business – whether you grab a coffee after your daily exercise or get a takeaway tonight."
Tourists scolded for entering remote communities
Since road checkpoints were set up around Perth and the Peel region, more than 28,000 people have been stopped, with 262 of those turned around.
Mr McGowan said reports of tourists entering remote Aboriginal communities in the state's Kimberley region were concerning.
"The last thing we want is this virus getting out into our regional and remote communities," he said.
"I am aware of reports of tourists disregarding restrictions and signage and entering remote Aboriginal communities in the Kimberley.
"This is completely unacceptable. No one wants an outbreak in a remote Aboriginal community."
Record number get vaccine in one day
Health Minister Roger Cook said a record 12,774 West Australians were vaccinated on Wednesday.
"We now have 720,000 people in Western Australia who have at least received their first dose," he said.
"Health has some 360,000 vaccination appointments booked in the coming months. These appointments mirror the availability of vaccines."
Yesterday 6,094 West Australians got their first dose of Pfizer, and 772 had their second dose.
A total of 2,205 people got their first dose of AstraZeneca, while 3,703 had their second shot.
Prisoners given shot as Premier repeats Pfizer call
Mr Cook confirmed WA Health had started a program this week to vaccinate staff and inmates at the state's prisons.
He defended the rollout, which meant prisoners were being vaccinated before many non-criminals.
"The vast majority of people in WA prisons are under 60 years of age, making Pfizer the most appropriate vaccine," he said.
"Should COVID-19 enter a prison, it would go through that prison like wildfire.
"Vulnerable populations are being prioritised, consistent with the agreement with the Commonwealth."
Mr McGowan also repeated his call for Pfizer vaccines to be provided to over-60s.
"There is huge hesitancy now in the over-60 category, we need to get them Pfizer as soon as we can," he said.
"And we also have to make sure that those people who have had the first dose of AstraZeneca get their second dose — of which I am one, and I will be getting the second dose."
He said Pfizer supplies were expected to increase from August.
