Western Australia has introduced new protocols for seafarers looking to disembark from ships at its ports following a spike in reported Covid-19 cases.

Over the past few weeks, the state that is home to some of the countries largest commodity ports has seen several vessels arriving with Covid-19 cases aboard.

“We have now implemented new protocols in Western Australia requiring all crew members, Australian-based or international who disembark from international maritime journeys in Australia, to undergo two weeks of quarantine in a state-run hotel,” state premier Mark McGowan said.