Two new local cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in Western Australia, both related to the ongoing Cockburn cluster linked to the Omicron variant and involving massage parlours.
It comes as disability service provider Active announced Perth's annual City to Surf charity run had been cancelled for the third year in a row, due to the "ongoing risks posed by COVID-19".
"The decision to not hold the event again this year was very difficult, however the health and safety of all Western Australians comes first so we believe this is the most responsible decision," Active CEO Michael Heath said.
"Our aim is to bring back this much-loved community fun run in 2023."
In a statement, WA Health said contact tracers were now working with the two new COVID-19 cases announced today to determine potential exposure sites.
By early afternoon four new exposure sites had been identified — the Priceline pharmacy in the Kwinana Marketplace shopping centre, the City of Perth carpark on Murray Street, Curtin University's library and the Toastface Grillah cafe in the CBD.
It comes after the indoor mask mandate for WA was expanded overnight to include the South West region.
Three massage parlours in Perth have been identified as "higher risk" exposure sites linked to the current cluster.
They are the Comfort Massage in Osborne Park, U Natural Spa Therapy in Applecross and New U Massage in Mount Lawley.
According to WA Health, these businesses were visited by "multiple COVID-19 cases".
It is believed others were there at the same times but failed to check in.
Anyone who was at the sites at times listed on the Healthy WA website should get tested immediately and isolate until they receive a negative test.
Staff at Curtin University have been advised the exposure at the library took place when an infected student was in the Curtin Central Library in building 103 from 12pm to 4pm last Friday.
Testing clinics in Perth are once again open until 10pm.
Random vaccination checks at Skyworks
In a West Australian first, there will be random spot checks for proof of double vaccination for those aged over 16 at the City of Perth's annual Skyworks event on Australia Day
Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas said there would be 80, easily identifiable COVID marshals patrolling the area.
"They will randomly, or otherwise, ask people for their ID and also proof of vaccination," he said.
"We will ask people to have those details ready to provide on request."
People attending the fireworks will also be encouraged to check in using QR codes or register their attendance manually with "roving COVID marshals".
The city has also encouraged people to practice distancing where possible and stay home if they are unwell.
A pop-up vaccination clinic will be set up on a grassed area near the Terrace Road car park.
Meanwhile, for the third year running, the City of Mandurah has been forced to cancel one of the biggest events on its calendar, the annual Crab Fest.
The Crab Fest is usually one of the state's largest free festivals and has previously attracted crowds of more than 100,000 people.
Funding for the event this year was announced last July through Tourism WA.
It comes after Perth Festival yesterday cancelled its opening night show, while doubt has been thrown on the upcoming Australia versus New Zealand one day international match in Perth.
Opposition calls for modelling to be released
WA Opposition Leader Mia Davies has called for the government to immediately release all plans and modelling related to the border opening.
"The opposition today is calling for the McGowan government to immediately release all of the information relating to the rules and restrictions as we head towards the fifth of February and the transition date," she said.
"Including the modelling that's been done in relation to Omicron, given that the date and the Chief Health Officer's advice in relation to that transition date, is related to the Delta variant.
"There has been a void of information which is causing great anxiety, not only in the business community, but more broadly across the health sector, and in our communities across Western Australia."
Ms Davies said details needed to be made public now so proper preparations could be made.
Businesses want clarity around close contacts
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA (CCIWA) has joined calls for clarity on the state government's protocols for close contacts.
Other states have changed their definition of a close contact to ease pressure on industries hit by employee absences, but Western Australia is yet to reveal how it will approach the same problem.
CCIWA chief economist Aaron Morey said businesses urgently needed to know what the isolation protocols for contacts of COVID-19 cases would be.
"All businesses need some clarity, particularly around definitions of contacts [and] how long their workers will need to quarantine and isolate for if they are deemed a close contact," he said.
"This has a massive impact on worker availability, so that is very important going forward. We are also keen to understand what are the baseline restrictions that will apply.
"The sooner the better, but also key is that the government gets its settings right so that we're not chopping and changing as we go along."
Mr Morey said the hospitality and entertainment industries would be hit hard by uncertainty surrounding isolation rules.
"What we've seen on the east coast is what has been referred to as a 'shadow lockdown', whereby local consumers, out of fear of contracting the virus, are opting out of participating in parts of the consumer economy," he said.
"Obviously, that will have a short-term hit to certain businesses."
However, Mr Morey said, it was important that whatever protocols were decided based on health advice, they should not change repeatedly.
"We support the government in taking a little bit more time in ensuring that they've got those conditions right."
