West Australians who disobey self-isolation and gathering directives will face on-the-spot fines under a crackdown to help restrict the spread of COVID-19, with a special police squad set up to enforce the measures.

Key points: Individuals will face $1,000 fines and businesses $5,000 penalties

Individuals will face $1,000 fines and businesses $5,000 penalties WA Police will be able to issue fines without going through the courts

WA Police will be able to issue fines without going through the courts Officers have responded to more than 1,000 coronavirus-related tasks

The enforcement squad of more than 200 police officers will be sent out to perform spot checks on anybody required to self-isolate, as well as enforcing bans on gatherings.

A team of detectives will also be tasked to track and trace any people who are supposed to be self-isolating but whose whereabouts cannot be accounted for.

WA COVID-19 snapshot Confirmed cases so far: 665

Confirmed cases so far: 665 Recovered: 650

Recovered: 650 Deaths: 9

Deaths: 9 Total tests: 405,246 Latest information from the WA Health Department





The State Government said it would be introducing urgent legislation into Parliament next week for the spot fines to be issued.

The penalties will include $1,000 fines for individuals and $5,000 fines for businesses who disobey the rules.

The Government said the measures would help maintain community safety during WA's state of emergency.

"This is about saving lives and protecting the community. People need to understand that this is serious," Premier Mark McGowan said.

Mark McGowan has warned beaches may be closed if people keep ignoring social distancing measures. ( ABC News: Nicolas Perpitch )

"If you have been directed to self-isolate, then you must self-isolate. There are no excuses.

"The Government is throwing everything it has at this and we are doing so because that's the best way to safeguard the community.

"I just urge people to do the right thing by your family, by your neighbours and by your fellow Western Australians."

More charges laid over COVID-19 rules

The announcement came as WA Police charged another two men for not complying with coronavirus directives.

From 1:30pm last Tuesday, anybody arriving in WA has been required to self-isolate for two weeks under a border closure designed to combat the outbreak.

But police said a 73-year-old Geraldton man who arrived in the state on Thursday had failed to self-isolate, alleging he was seen outside his home.

Police said residents of the man's retirement village saw him talking to others in close proximity, travelling to the local shops and riding his push bike in the area.

A 26-year-old Kardinya man has also been charged with failing to comply with emergency requirements after entering the Broome town site as a non-essential traveller.

The man was allegedly denied entry to the Kimberley region on Friday before police found him in his vehicle the following evening.

A 61-year-old man from Carlisle was charged on Friday for failing to self-isolate after returning from overseas, with police allegedly catching the man on his way to the beach.

'We are having to get police to babysit people'

WA Police have responded to more than 1,000 coronavirus-related tasks so far, including checks on people required to self-isolate, the Government said.

Police Minister Michelle Roberts said it was not too much to ask for people to stay at home.

"It's regrettable that we are having to get police to babysit people, to enforce something as simple as self-isolation, but we have to do everything possible to keep our community safe," she said.

"Too many people are still flouting the rules."

The Premier has instructed the WA Police Commissioner to shut down any beaches if there are large gatherings or other breaches of directives.

WA joins Queensland, Victoria with spot fines

The spot fines for individuals are in addition to existing penalties of up to $50,000 enforceable under the state's Emergency Management Act.

But the Government said the new measures would allow WA Police to issue fines immediately, without having to go through the courts.

Similar measures were announced in Queensland and Victoria this weekend as individual states crack down on people not self-isolating or social distancing.

From midnight last night, all passengers who arrive in Australia must go into mandatory quarantine in hotels for a fortnight.

The measure was introduced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison amid concerns about people not adhering to self-isolation requirements.

Defence Force personnel are also being brought in to support state and territory police in enforcing the mandatory quarantine and the self-isolation rules that apply to people already in Australia or who arrived before the midnight deadline.