Covid-19 cases rise in Western Australia as restrictions ease

Covid-19 cases are rising in Western Australia as the state prepares to scrap most restrictions, including the use of masks.

Western Australia has recorded almost 9000 new cases of Covid-19 and seven more deaths just hours before restrictions ease, including ditching masks indoors.

The new death overnight was a man aged in his 70s, while six historical deaths include a man aged in his 70s, two men aged in their 80s, and two men and a woman aged in their 90s.

WA Health reported a total of 8889 new cases overnight, taking the total number of active cases to 43,118.

There are now 237 people with Covid-19 in hospital, including six in intensive care.

This is our WA COVID-19 update for Thursday, 28 April 2022.

For official information on COVID-19 in WA, visit https://t.co/gIGAhoXMnmhttps://t.co/EN4twhKi5Xpic.twitter.com/z5dXDZ5pDE

— Mark McGowan (@MarkMcGowanMP) April 28, 2022

WA is set to massively ease restrictions from midnight.

Masks will not be mandatory, except for people aged 12 and older in high-risk settings.

They include hospitals, residential aged care, disability services facilities, correctional facilities, the airport, on public transport, in rideshare and taxi services, and other passenger transport.

Masks are encouraged where physical distancing is not possible.

Asymptomatic close contacts will also no longer have to isolate for seven days if they undertake daily rapid antigen tests, wear a mask outside the home, work from home if possible and avoid high-risk settings.

The 2 sqm rule and capacity limits will be scrapped from all venues, with proof of vaccination only required in hospitals and residential aged care facilities.

The G2G Pass requirement for arrivals will also be removed.

Vaccination rules for interstate travellers will be dumped, but double dose vaccination will still be required for international arrivals under federal government restrictions.

Based on our current COVID-19 situation, it is clear we are past the peak of our Omicron wave.

WA has secured the soft landing we planned thanks to efforts of Western Australians, our world-leading vaccination rates, and common-sense decision to delay the full border reopening. pic.twitter.com/RtuCW6oDzq

— Mark McGowan (@MarkMcGowanMP) April 26, 2022

Travel to remote Aboriginal communities remains restricted.

Some measures will continue in schools including enhanced ventilation, mandatory vaccination and cleaning.

Premier Mark McGowan said WA had reached its peak four weeks ago and had secured a soft landing through the Omicron wave.

Mr McGowan is scheduled to leave isolation today after testing positive last week.

WA has a third dose vaccination rate of 79.2 per cent for people aged 16 and over.

The Premier has indicated the mandatory workplace vaccination rules would only be scrapped when the third dose rate is well above 80 per cent.