Concerns over COVID-19 have led to the cancellation or postponement of more events in the state, including Australia’s largest annual mining conference Diggers & Dealers, along with the Anzac Day services. The virus has also led to more businesses changing their working arrangements.
Concerns over COVID-19 have led to the cancellation or postponement of more events in the state, including Australia’s largest annual mining conference Diggers & Dealers, along with the Anzac Day services.
It comes after the federal government implemented a nationwide ban last week on mass gatherings of 500 or more people.
The Diggers & Dealers forum was scheduled for June at the Goldfields Arts Centre in Kalgoorlie and was expecting more than 2,000 mining delegates.
Forum chairman Jim Walker said postponing the event was the responsible action to take.
“By moving the event out of the winter period, we believe we are allowing more time for authorities to assess information and guide our decision making,” he said.
“Please be assured that we will continue to monitor the situation closely and work to recommendations made by global and local health authorities.”
WA Mining Club also announced today its functions over the next few months will be postponed, including this month's luncheon.
CEDA said it would also postpone public events in Australia up until May 31.
Meanwhile, Anzac Day services in WA, NSW and Tasmania have been cancelled.
Around 30,000 people had attended the Anzac Day dawn service at Kings Park last year.
RSLWA announced the cancellation for Perth, with the state president Peter Aspinall citing the risk of contagion for elderly and vulnerable people was too high.
“This is a very difficult but necessary course of action, especially considering our duty of care and the vulnerability of our older members,” he said.
“For us, one death of a Veteran, a family member or any member of the general public as a result of attending a RSLWA-organised service is one too many.”
RSLWA said it would look at other ways to commemorate those who served and died, but not in the form of public events.
Perth Festival has also cancelled the rest of the season of Lotterywest Films at UWA Somerville, effective March 16.
The remaining performances of Black Swan State Theatre Company's Cloudstreet at His Majesty's Theatre will continue as planned.
Perth Festival said its visual arts program would also continue as scheduled, pending further advice.
Meanwhile, the Bunuru Festival, to be held at Yagan Square this weekend, has been postponed. A new date has not yet been disclosed.
Several organisations have also made changes to their working arrangements, including Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Westpac, which announced they would be splitting their workforces to different locations, while one in five National Australia Bank employees will be working from home.
Employees at telecommunication companies Optus, Telstra, Vodafone, TPG and Vocus will soon be working from home.
Subiaco-based Hames Sharley announced it had stopped all domestic and international travel, and has encouraged all external meetings to be held via teleconference whenever possible.
