Western Australia has recorded no new COVID-19 cases but the state government is taking an "ultra cautious" approach over the hotel worker infected with the virulent UK virus strain who triggered a five-day lockdown, Premier Mark McGowan said.
A record 16,490 tests were conducted, more than double the number of tests a day after the Northern Beaches outbreak in Sydney.
But Mr McGowan said a historic case has been detected in a man who travelled from Mexico via Sydney.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about WA's lockdown, plus full list of potential exposure sites
SELF QUARANTINE FOR HOTEL GUESTS
Anybody who has spent time in the hotel where a security guard tested positive to the UK strain in the past week will be placed back into self-quarantine.
"Anyone who has been recently released from this facility going back to the 25th of January is being contacted directly by our health teams to instruct them to remain in self quarantine until they receive a further negative test result," Premier Mark McGowan said.
READ MORE: Reports authorities waited 11 hours to reveal positive WA COVID-19 case
"No further overseas arrivals will be going into this quarantine facility at present."
Genome sequencing has connected the infected security guard to a UK variant carried by two recently returned hotel travellers.
"One of those recent arrivals was accommodated on the same floor as the security guard was working," Mr McGowan said.
"We are advised that the guards did deliver medication to the door of this particular quarantine guest."
READ MORE: Investigations launched into Perth COVID-19 case
EXTENSIVE CONTACT TRACING
Mr McGowan said extensive testing and tracing of the hotel guard's contacts continues.
"In total, 151 close contacts have now been identified. In addition, 68 casual contacts have also been identified. Each of these contacts are being tested and so far 104 have returned negative results."
Mr McGowan said that further genomic testing had revealed that the hotel security guard, who tested positive on Saturday, had the same strain of the UK variant as two travellers in the Sheraton Four Points hotel in Perth, where he was worked on January 25 and January 26.
"One of those recent arrivals was accommodated on the same floor as the security guard was working. We are advised that the guard did deliver medication ot the door of this quarantine guest."
Mr McGowan vowed to take "every extra precaution" in reiterating the lockdown restrictions.
But he announced one loosening of restrictions.
"Last night we adjusted the rules around exercise with family members," he said.
"We understand this caused some confusion for families, and on public health grounds the rules have been amended to allow a maximum two adults from the same household and their children to exercise in the neighbourhood up to a maximum of five people for one hour each day."
He described the change as "common sense".
Health Minister Roger Cook said an extensive investigation into the case of the infected hotel worker was continuing.
"The hotel security guard used the Safe WA app to check in at various places. His data has been incredibly useful. Time is of the essence in these situations. His use of the app allowed the contact tracing team to identify locations and potential close contacts.
"The contact tracing teams were able to reach people quickly, to get them tested and to get them isolated to reduce the risk of transmission in the community. So, even though we are spending more time in our homes, when you do go out for essential supplies, make sure you use the app. It will help everyone."
Mr Cook could not say if the security guard who tested positive to coronavirus was wearing PPE when he interacted with an infected hotel quarantine guest.
"Security guards or any personnel in a hotel quarantine don't need to wear masks at every point of that building and at every point to carry out their duties," he said.
"There are particular circumstances in which they are required to wear PPE."
Guards don't necessarily need to be wearing their masks if they are "simply monitoring that corridor", Mr Cook said.
The guard began feeling unwell on January 28 and went to a GP the next day. He then contacted the security firm at 5.30am on January 30 to inform them he was unwell.
Mr Cook said the guard is cooperating with the contact tracing team.
He said WA's coronavirus containment in hotel quarantine had been "pretty impressive".
"This system has been in operation for almost a year, operating 24/7 and processing over 35,000 guests at those hotels," Mr Cook said.
"Over the weekend, we had one incident which is potentially – to the best of our knowledge is the first."
Mr Cook said the number of registered individuals on the Safe WA app is 1,138,120 with 45,617 registered businesses. The total number of check-ins is now over 27.5 million.
Mr Cook also said testing facilities across Perth were being expanded, including 16 drive-in clinics.
He said priority for testing was being given to older people and those with disabilities.
'FOLLOW THE RULES'
Mr McGowan has implored West Australians to follow the rules of the lockdown.
"Western Australians have responded remarkably well on the advice from WA Police is that systems have worked well," he said.
"These are challenging times, no doubt about that.
"In times like these, Western Australians step up."
WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson said a 41-year-old Ellenbrook man was arrested for refusing to wear a mask, even when offered one.
"I have watched the body worn vision of that particular arrest and I commend the officers involved for their patience in dealing with what we are alleging is a belligerent breach of the rules," he said.
"But that is now for the courts to deal with."
Commissioner Dawson said anybody feeling unwell must stay home, isolate and be tested as soon as possible.
'STRICT LOCKDOWN NECESSARY'
Mr McGowan has defended the strict lockdown restrictions in response to just one local case.
"We said we're going to be very harsh and tough if we had a case, and that's what we've done," he said.
"This is very unfortunate, but it's not unusual."
He said he intended on being "very cautious".
"I do not want to be in situation of Britain or the United States or Melbourne," he said.
"If we can crush it and kill it now, we can get back onto a good pathway in the future."
Mr McGowan said he expects the lockdown to go the full five days as planned.
"I just don't want to see a recurrence," he said.
"Britain kept coming out of lockdown too early.
"The more rational solution is you crush it. That allows you with confidence to come out of lockdown."
He said he expects schools to go back next week.
"Again, as we know, this is a very uncertain environment," he said.
