No crowd at Optus Stadium for WA AFL derby

There will be no crowd at the AFL derby in Western Australia today as the state continues to contact trace following three positive coronavirus cases yesterday.

Premier Mark McGowan today said the decision not to have 45,000 people at Optus Stadium was made with the safety of West Australians in mind.

“We have to clampdown on COVID-19 so we can return to normal business more quickly, so, based on the additional information that has now come to light, we have made the decision to not permit spectators to attend the derby this afternoon,” he said.

“There will be no crowd at this event at Optus Stadium this afternoon.”

READ MORE: Western Australia avoids second lockdown as state records no new cases overnight

© Nine WA Premier Mark McGowan said the decision to ban a crowd was about safety.

Mr McGowan said he understoof people may be angered by the news, but said it was necessary.

“I understand people will be disappointed and some people will be frustrated by the decision, but it has been made on health advice and we have tried to communicate this as quickly as possible,” he said.

“The game will still go on and of course people can watch it from their own homes … the decision to have no crowd at the stadium also helps us in preventing possible transmission on public transport.

“Having 45,000 people try to get to Optus Stadium at the same time is too much of a risk, especially as we are still going through the close contacts.”

The West Coast Eagles will take on the Fremantle Dockers to the empty stadium at 2.20pm AWST time (4.40 AEST).

READ MORE: Coronavirus breaks out of Perth hotel quarantine with three new cases

© 9News There will be no crowds at Optus Stadium for the Derby.

The tough call on today’s match comes after the fresh outbreak stemming from a quarantine security guard who worked at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Perth last weekend, with two of his household contacts also testing positive yesterday.

The man, aged in his 20s, is believed to have been infectious in the community for four days after potentially contracting the virus from two positive travellers quarantining on the same floor he was guarding.

No new cases were recorded in WA today after more than 3000 tests.