Masks dumped in most settings as WA records no new cases of Covid-19 but Omicron confirmed in the community

Western Australia is phasing out one of the most frustrating yet effective rules brought in to protect people from Covid-19.

The mask mandate in Western Australia will be almost entirely dumped despite the Omicron strain of Covid-19 spreading in the community.

Acting Premier Roger Cook told reporters on Friday that there were no new locally acquired cases overnight, but there were six other infections – three interstate and three international arrivals, who were all in quarantine.

Regarding the Hyatt Hotel quarantine security guard and his household contact, 23 close contacts had been identified and the majority had tested negative.

“Importantly, all their work colleagues have tested negative,” Mr Cook said.

However, genomic sequencing confirmed the guard had the Omicron variant.

“It means in turn, his household contact is the first local locally acquired transmission case of Omicron in the community,” Mr Cook said.

“While this is undoubtedly concerning, I want to assure everyone there was only a short time that the household contact could have potentially been infectious in the community.”

Acting Premier Roger Cook gave the Covid-19 update on Friday. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tony McDonough

Investigations are still ongoing into how the guard contracted the virus.

“This particular security guard had a concierge role in the lobby area,” Mr Cook said.

“At this stage, there is nothing to suggest the guard was doing anything wrong.”

Regarding the case of the Pan Pacific hotel quarantine security guard, all close contacts and casual contacts remain negative, with close contacts in quarantine.

There have been no new cases linked to the backpacker cluster for the past two days.

“However, we can expect that we will continue to see some cases pop up over the coming days, most likely, among those who are already in quarantine linked to the backpack cluster,” Mr Cook said.

“But we are confident that this can be contained through our contact tracing efforts.

“The two Omicron security guard events appear to be contained as well.”

Masks are mandatory while at indoor public places in the Perth and Peel regions. Picture: Matt Jelonek/Getty Images

Some restrictions, including the use of masks, was introduced just before Christmas after a French backpacker who arrived in WA from Queensland spread the Delta strain of the virus.

“Overwhelmingly, everyone did the right thing,” Mr Cook said.

It means that from 6pm on Friday, masks will no longer be required for indoor venues or other outdoor major events where it was mandated, such as music festivals.

Masks will only be required in vulnerable settings, such as aged care, disability care and hospitals, as well as on public transport, taxis and ride-share vehicles.

“So please, keep a mask at hand just in case,” Mr Cook said.

“We are able to cautiously ease these mask mandates because of the proof of vaccination requirements that are now in place for higher risk venues and events, such as nightclubs, larger venues, music festivals and major events.”

Existing proof of vaccination requirements for venues and events will remain in place for:

• Nightclubs;
• Music festivals and major events with more than 500 people;
• Pubs, taverns, hospitality hotels and special facility licences with a capacity of more
• than 500 people or those that trade after midnight;
• Events with an occasional liquor licence; and
• The Crown gaming floor.

Masks will no longer be required in most settings. Picture: Matt Jelonek/Getty Images

People must show proof of their vaccination, either in a digital or paper form, along with approved identification.

A new mobile app will be launched next week to integrate proof of vaccination with SafeWA check-ins.

Mr Cook also announced that double-dose vaccinated arrivals in hotel quarantine who returned negative results on days one, five, and 11 would now be released on day 12 to complete their final two days of quarantine at another suitable premises.

He said it would slightly reduce the burden on the quarantine system without any public health risk.

WA now has a first dose rate of 93.5 per cent and the second jab rate is approaching 90 per cent.

The third dose rate is at 12.2 per cent, which Mr Cook said was increasing about one per cent every day.

The full list of exposure sites can be found here.