Nationals still backing regional travel bans amid calls for relaxations

Nationals WA leader Mia Davies has backed WA’s regional travel ban in the face of growing calls for the restrictions to be relaxed. Regional borders will remain closed for the foreseeable future, despite West Australians being offered some relaxations in social distancing measures this week. Premier Mark McGowan had originally flagged May 1 as the earliest potential date for COVID-19 restrictions to be eased. But on Sunday Mr McGowan announced the limit of indoor and outdoor gatherings would be raised from two people to 10. When pressed on whether regional border closures would remain in place, Mr McGowan said it would be at least another two or three weeks before the next review of restrictions. Leading up to Sunday’s announcement, as the WA infection rate curve rapidly flattened, some regional social media users pleaded for information on when intrastate borders would be reopened. Vasse MLA Libby Mettam on Monday called on the State Government to provide “some certainty” on when regional borders could be reopened. Ms Mettam called for measures to be introduced to allow intrastate borders to be opened “sooner rather than later”. “I urge the opposition to hold their horses, don’t politicise the issue,” Mr McGowan said in response. Ms Davies, pictured, said she had received questions from her constituents on the relaxation of travel restrictions. “When the travel restrictions were put in place, there was obviously some confusion about what the exemptions were, how those exemptions would operate, where the borders were — people were being caught up in it,” she said. “I can get that any restrictions of people’s normal enjoyment of life can be frustrating, and people are obviously suffering financially and being separated from their family. “Lots of people are talking to us about the mental health challenges of being separated from their families.” Ms Davies stressed any decision made would have to be based on medical advice. The Central Wheatbelt MP said it was a unique time to be in Opposition. “I genuinely want our State Government to do well. It’s important that we back our leaders in times like these,” she said. “I think numbers on a piece of paper or reported around deaths, sometimes they get a bit dehumanised. But every person who dies is somebody’s family member and you see some of those numbers on a broad scale in places like America and England — that’s not something we want. “At this point, I think the most important thing is to ensure that our health system is prepared to receive an influx.”