In what will be happy news for most Western Australians, COVID-19 restrictions will ease in Perth and WA – including the need for masks indoors.
Based on the latest health advice, effective 12:01am Friday 29 April, WA will be easing public health measures again – back to what the government is calling ‘our baseline settings’.
What are the new restrictions?
Indoor mask mandate lifted
No more masks are required at venues, the office, or at indoor gatherings.
Those aged 8-11 will no longer have to wear masks.
Going forward, masks will only be required for those aged 12 and over in:
- Hospitals, aged care and disability care facilities
- Prisons and correctional facilities
- Airports and public transport
- Taxis and rideshare.
However, while they are no longer mandatory, masks are encouraged where physical distancing isn’t possible.
No capacity limits
All capacity and gathering limits will be lifted as there will no longer be a two square metre rule, no caps on visitors to the home, weddings or funerals. There will also be no limits in stadiums or major events.
Proof of vaccination requirements removed
Proof of vaccination requirement removed for entry to all venues except for hospitals and residential aged care facilities.
Removing quarantine requirements
WA will join other states in removing quarantine requirements for asymptomatic close contacts, provided they adhere to strict requirements. These include wearing a mask, avoiding high risk and large gatherings, daily RAT testing, and working from home where possible.
No G2G required
G2G pass requirement to enter WA will end, as will the three-dose vaccination requirement for domestic arrivals.
International vaccination requirements will still be determined by Commonwealth settings, so the double dose requirement for international arrivals will continue.WA’s requirement for unvaccinated Australian international arrivals to undertake seven days of isolation will also continue, but it will be reviewed in four weeks.
Schools back to normal
Schools will also revert to baseline settings. This means assemblies, camps, balls and off-site events can resume. To help identify cases within schools and childcare, the State Government will provide 12 million free RATs to distribute across all schools and childcare facilities.
Parents and students will be encouraged to collect tests to ensure they are ready to test their children or students develop symptoms.
Hospital visitations
Hospital visitation arrangements continue to be in place to protect the highest at risk.
Masks and proof of vaccination requirements remain and non-essential visitors will be allowed with up to two people per patient per day during visitor hours.
Essential visits for compassionate reasons, birth partners, carers/parents/guardians will also continue.
Aboriginal communities
Travel to some remote Aboriginal communities will remain restricted to protect these more vulnerable communities.
For more information visit wa.gov.au.
Further Perth news on So Perth.
