A two-pronged approach aimed at "crushing this virus at its source" on the North-West Coast has been announced by Premier Peter Gutwein.
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The Burnie hospitals - the North West Regional and the North West Private - will close from 7am on Monday, with all staff to go into quarantine.
More severe restrictions will be applied, meanwhile, to retailers across the eight mainland North-West and West coast municipalities from midnight on Sunday.
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"We are in the fight of our life against the coronavirus and I again urge everyone to join the battle by staying home, to save lives," the premier said.
Mr Gutwein said the hospital closures were part of a five-stage plan to secure health services in the region.
The plan provides for:
1. All staff from NWRH and NWP, and their households, to be quarantined for 14 days from their last shift;
2. Closure of the NWRH and NWP sites from tomorrow (Monday) at 7am;
3. Conducting a comprehensive deep clean across both sites;
4. Maintaining support for emergency care in the region, including additional aeromedical support and working closely with general practice;
5. Progressively restarting services, starting with emergency department after 72 hours, maternity, cancer and ICU / Paediatrics.
"In order to retain as much hospital capacity as possible, we are expanding and bringing staff into the Mersey hospital to allow existing patients from the NWRH and NWP to be transferred to the Mersey Community Hospital. These patients will only be transferred out of the North-West if their clinical condition requires it," Mr Gutwein said.
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"Patient and staff safety is our number one priority, with any transported patients to be treated with the full precautions - as if they have coronavirus - and they will be geographically isolated within the hospitals."
Health Minister Sarah Courtney reiterated that during this time if people need emergency care they should call 000.
Stronger business restrictions will be implemented for a period of 14 days in the Latrobe, Kentish, Devonport, Central Coast, Burnie, Wynyard-Waratah, Circular Head and West Coast municipalities.
From midnight on Sunday all retail businesses still trading will now be required to close, except for those providing essential services.
This includes medical services, pharmacies, supermarkets, green grocers, food take-away, service / petrol stations, bakeries, laundromats and dry cleaners, newsagents, rural services and general stores, bottle shops, IT repairs, car repairs (but new and used car sales are closed), veterinary services, animal and pet food supplies and banks.
Trade supply stores open to trade customers only are also permitted to remain open.
Big box retailers and others that offer online services and home delivery can operate for online services and home delivery only.
"If you operate a retail business that does not fall into these categories, and if you are unable to offer online sales and home delivery you must close. Exemptions may be available in certain circumstances," Mr Gutwein said.
"Local government essential services will continue to operate as determined by local councils.
"If in doubt contact the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738.
"I understand these additional forced closures will come as a blow to businesses which have been trying to adjust to the coronavirus operating environment.
"To those business, and their affected workers, I offer my genuine apologies, but ask you to please understand it is a necessary action at this time to save lives.
"The coronavirus is an insidious disease which can spreads like wildfire if we don't take the necessary actions.
"I take absolutely no pleasure in imposing these additional restrictions, especially on the retail sector, and we will review these following the 14-day period."
