The West Australian government is trying to resist a cruise ship with hundreds of unwell passengers docking in Fremantle port after passengers from other ships disembarked and were confirmed to have coronavirus.
Premier Mark McGowan said more than 250 of 1700-plus passengers on board the Magnifica cruise ship had reported upper respiratory illnesses but he'd been told the vessel needed to refuel, which had to be allowed.
That may happen in Fremantle "or elsewhere".
Mr McGowan said he had spoken with Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton about a course of action.
"I will not allow what happened in Sydney to happen here," Mr McGowan told reporters on Monday.
He was referring to 48 confirmed cases among passengers on the , which docked in Sydney on Thursday, and five cases from the Ovation of the Seas ship, which docked a day earlier.
"My first priority has to be protecting Western Australians," Mr McGowan said.
"The passengers and the crew will not be walking around the streets."
He said if any of them were critically ill, the state government would have to consider providing medical assistance.
WA Health Minister Roger Cook confirmed 20 new COVID-19 cases, all in the Perth area, including six from the Ruby Princess, which returned to WA via Sydney.
One of the cases is from the Ovation of the Seas.
The state's coronavirus total is now 140.
Premier of Western Australia Mark McGowan. Source: AAP
Mr Cook said 12 of the cases are in hospital, two of those in a critical condition.
Mr McGowan also announced parents would have the choice to keep their children home from school.
"We will not enforce the law that requires you to (send them)," he said.
"If parents do decide to keep their children home, parents must abide by all other laws and that includes all new social distancing rules."
He said schools would remain open until the end of the current term and the state government would provide tools to allow students to continue to learn.
Education Minister Sue Ellery said it was "too early to call" any changes to ATAR, including exams, but processes were in place to ensure year 12 students would not be disadvantaged.
Entry to WA will be restricted via road, rail, air and sea from 1.30pm local time on Tuesday, but there will be exemptions for workers performing critical duties.
If you believe you may have contracted the coronavirus, call your doctor (don't visit), or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.
