Don't come to Mandurah.
That's the plain and simple message the city's mayor is giving to Perth holidaymakers eyeing a potential trip south to the Peel region over the Easter period.
...right now, we need you to stay away so that we can keep our community healthy
- Mandurah mayor Rhys Williams
The state government's tight restrictions on travel across regions came into effect earlier this week, with police roadblocks turning back any would-be border crossers.
But Perth and the Peel region were grouped in together as one region due to their close proximity, a move that has raised the eyebrows of Mandurah residents now worried they could be facing an influx of Perth tourists over the break.
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It is particularly worrisome given the Peel region's vast elderly population, who would be at a high risk should a COVID-19 outbreak occur.
But the message was clear from Mandurah mayor Rhys Williams, who is imploring those holidaymakers to rethink their visit.
"Mandurah is such a special place not only to the people who live here, but thousands of visitors and holidaymakers across the state and country - but right now, we need you to stay away so that we can keep our community healthy," mayor Williams said.
"Given the age demographics we have in Mandurah and Peel, we have significant concerns about the impacts of having increased visitors in our area, especially over Easter.
"Normally we'd welcome travellers and holiday makers with open arms, but due to the COVID-19 situation, we urge people, including those from the Perth area, to stay away from Mandurah and the Peel region.
"We all have a responsibility to do our bit to help stop the spread of this virus and to protect those vulnerable members of our community, so unless absolutely essential, if you don't live in Mandurah, don't come to Mandurah.
"If you have an existing holiday booking in Mandurah or the Peel region, please postpone your trip, not cancel, because when this is all over we can't wait to welcome you to our beautiful part of WA."
The mayor's sentiments will be echoed by message boards set up at two of the city's main entry points (Mandjoogoordap Drive and Mandurah Road) encouraging people to cancel their holiday plans and stay at home.
Earlier this week the mayor, along with local MPs Zak Kirkup and Andrew Hastie, wrote to WA Premier Mark McGowan seeking reassurance that all measures would be taken to ensure non-essential Perth visitors didn't venture into the Peel region.
The City's rangers are also working closely with police to monitor inappropriate social gatherings and report non-compliance.
Boat skippers are also being urged to cancel unnecessary trips out on the water.