‘Baseline measures’: WA radically reduces controversial Covid rules

Western Australia will radically strip back controversial Covid mandates, including mask, quarantine and entry rules.

Western Australia will radically reduce Covid-19 rules from this Friday, including a blanket rule on masks in indoor settings.

The rules will revert to the same as they were at the end of last year before the state’s border reopened.

Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson described the new requirements as “baseline settings” targeted towards high-risk areas.

Changes to take effect from 12.01am on Friday include lifting all capacity and gathering limits, such as for pubs and sports stadiums.

Masks will no longer be required other than in hospitals, aged and disability care facilities, prisons and correctional facilities, and public transport.

Mandatory workplace vaccination requirements will remain in place.

Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said from Friday WA’s Covid mandates would revert to how they were at the end of last year. Picture: Matt Jelonek/Getty Images

School assemblies, dances and other offsite events will resume, and the state government will provide 12 million free RATs for use in schools and childcare facilities.

Entry rules for the state will also change, meaning a G2G registration will not be required by overseas or interstate arrivals.

Vaccination requirements for interstate travellers will be removed, however those arriving from overseas will need to be at least double-dosed in line with federal government rules.

Despite the changes, Ms Sanderson urged everyone to continue thinking of the wellbeing of those around them.

“I would note, it’s only the mandate that is going. If you still want to wear a mask in certain settings you absolutely can,” she said.

“Keep the mask on you just in case you find yourself needing one.”

Masks will only be required for those aged 12 and over in a select number of high-risk areas. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tony McDonough

WA will also join other states in scrapping isolation requirements for household contacts under specific circumstances.

Asymptomatic close contacts will no longer have to isolate for seven days, provided they complete a daily RAT, wear a mask outside the home, work from home where possible and avoid high-risk settings.

Symptomatic close contacts must get tested and isolate until symptoms resolve or if they test positive, isolate for a further seven days as per existing protocols.

A 2 sqm rule for venues will be scrapped, while proof of vaccination will only required in hospitals and residential aged care facilities.

“With such a high proportion of the community vaccinated we want to take the burden of checking and enforcing the vaccination requirements off businesses,” Ms Sanderson explained.

Travel to some remote Aboriginal communities will remain restricted to protect some more vulnerable communities

WA Premier Mark McGowan is currently isolating after testing positive for Covid. NCA NewsWire/Tony McDonough

Premier Mark McGowan, who is isolating with Covid, said the state was past the peak of its Omicron wave.

“WA has secured the soft landing we planned thanks to efforts of Western Australians, our world-leading vaccination rates, and commonsense decision to delay the full border reopening,” Mr McGowan said.

Based on health advice he said that peak occurred four weeks ago and case numbers, hospitalisation and ICU admission rates were now stable and lower than expected.

Covid hospitalisations and ICU numbers jumped overnight in WA and another eight people have died with the virus.

WA Health reports 249 people were in hospital with Covid (an increase of nine) up to 8pm on Monday and 11 were in ICU (an increase of two).

Of the eight deaths, one was a man aged in his 80s who died on Monday, while the other seven were historical deaths dating back to March 27.

The historical deaths include a woman and man aged in their 70s, a woman and two men aged in their 80s and two men aged in their 90s.

Statewide, 6711 new Covid cases were recorded to 8pm on Monday, an increase of 1072 from the day before.

WA Health has reported eight deaths of people with the virus, though seven are historical. Picture NCA NewsWire/Philip Gostelow

The metropolitan region accounted for 5370 cases, with 2203 confirmed via PCR test, while the remaining 4508 were self-reported positive rapid antigen tests.

The state’s active case total fell by 703 to 44,305.

WA has recorded 355,277 cases since the pandemic began.

Mr McGowan said the changes, which would remain in place for the foreseeable future, might cause case numbers and hospitalisations to rise.

“With our world-leading vaccination rates and a stable level of community spread of the virus, the latest health advice is that we can safely ease our public health measures,” Mr McGowan said.

“The removal of these measures does not mean the pandemic is over, but it does mean Western Australians can decide what measures they may like to take to keep themselves safe from the virus.

“If you haven’t already, please make sure you get your third vaccination dose – it’s your best defence.”