WA enters stage four of easing coronavirus restrictions
Western Australia's Premier Mark McGowan has praised local residents for their behaviour as the state entered phase four easing of restrictions early this morning.
Mr McGowan said WA was "very fortunate" to be leading the nation – and the world – in reopening its economy thanks to a low rate of infection and a hard border closure.
The premier said many businesses in WA can get back to a "virtual normal" of operating, saving thousands of jobs in the process.
READ MORE: WA Premier still refusing to be drawn on border reopening date amid Victoria's coronavirus spike
WA Premier Mark McGowan said he was proud of the state as it entered stage four of easing restrictions. 9News
Queues formed outside Perth nightclubs as restricted lifted at midnight on Friday. 9News
Few were able to maintain social distancing as crowds packed onto the streets. 9News
Among those businesses Mr McGowan said he spoke to Crown Casino, who had recently re-employed 4,200 staff they were forced to stand down during the peak of the pandemic.
Nightclubs in WA also opened at midnight, with the premier saying operators had reported no trouble on opening night.
"Australia has been very, very lucky," Mr McGowan said. "Only months ago we were preparing for mass deaths and mass illness."
"We've led the world in our coronavirus response."
READ MORE: WA to welcome back beers at the bar with restrictions to ease
WA is raising the limit on gatherings to 100 people under phase three easing of restrictions. Getty
WA pub outdoor area filled with people 9News
WA Health Minister Roger Cook said the state recorded no new cases of COVID-19 overnight, keeping the total for WA at 608.
The state currently has just four active cases of coronavirus, none of whom are being treated at hospital.
The premier said the WA Government was "resolute" about the hard border closure, refusing to be drawn on when state borders may open.
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