Preston Beach empty following three COVID exposure sites in Shire of Waroona destination

Businesses and attractions in Preston Beach were uncharacteristically quiet in recent weeks because of COVID uncertainty and restrictions, but the town is hoping things can go back to normal after the easing of constraints last week. The seaside town in the Shire of Waroona — which is normally bustling with tourists throughout summer — came under a cloud of uncertainty over the holiday period after the Department of Health announced three COVID exposure sites in the popular tourist destination. A confirmed case visited the Martins Tank campground, Preston Beach General Store and the Preston Beach carpark in a period between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. Some members of the community also questioned the way information was delivered during the scare, with the Harvey-Waroona Reporter understanding some campers at Martins Tank campground were not aware the location had been a hotspot until they were informed by Rangers on New Year’s Eve — six days after the location became an exposure site. General Store employee Cohen Reynolds said the town had been virtually emptied of tourists since the scare. “It has been quite a bit quieter, usually we would have heaps of people around this time (with the) hot weather, but now since COVID came through it has been pretty quiet,” he said. ”We weren’t too scared about it, we were making sure everyone had their masks on, were always sanitizing and making sure if anyone had any symptoms they would go get checked out. Footprints resort in Preston Beach — which is next door to the general store — also felt the effects of the COVID scare. General manager Peter Burke said he was not worried about the exposure sites, but admitted he became nervous when he found out about the case close to the resort. Mr Burke said the main effect on his business had been the reluctance of people to attend the cafe for food and beverage service because of having to wear masks and be seated. “We were going to open (the cafe) tonight (Thursday) for the contractors, but they would have to come in, sit down, with no standing up,” he said. “We just made the decision we won’t open. Mr Burke said the pandemic had created new opportunities for the resort, with the accommodation now being booked-out year round by local contractors. The resort’s cafe has also taken to providing meals for police and other government services during lockdowns and restrictions — with more than 400 meals a day being supplied during peak times. The mask wearing mandate was lifted at 6pm last Friday and one new COVID case was recorded in WA to 8pm Sunday night.