Backpackers new focus in WA outbreak

Authorities are looking closely at anyone who attended the Old Fire Station Backpackers in Fremantle or the My Oz Experience Hostel in Northbridge between Monday and Thursday and Tuesday and Thursday respectively, this week.Those who attended either venue at anytime on those days has been told to monitor for symptoms and get tested should they appear.Health officials are also calling on anyone who attended the Escape Portal gaming lounge in Cannington on either Monday or Tuesday this week between 1:30pm and midnight to get tested immediately and isolate until negative.WA Premier Mark McGowan broke the news that more than 400 partygoers would be forced to isolate over Christmas. Picture: Matt Jelonek/Getty ImagesThe list of potential Covid-19 exposure sites in Western Australia grew to 44 on Friday as the state recorded five new cases of the virus.Around 400 people who attended an event at the Perth Mess Hall last Sunday will be forced to isolate over Christmas and new year regardless of whether they return a negative result.The event was attended by a French backpacker who is believed to have been at the centre of the most recent outbreak.New restrictions have been introduced to help deal with a growing number of infections. Picture: Matt Jelonek/Getty ImagesA Woolworths and a JB Hi-Fi on Murray St in Perth are now known to have been attended by an infected person on December 17 between noon and 2pm.Those who were at either of the locations within that timeframe have been advised to monitor for symptoms and Perth’s central railway station has been particularly affected by the latest outbreak, with 12 exposure sites in the immediate vicinity.In response to the growing threat, Premier Mark McGowan introduced additional restrictions on venues on top of the rules announced on Thursday.From 6pm on Friday, all licensed hospitality venues will only be allowed to provide seated service.