WA Premier Mark McGowan’s huge call on Covid-19 pandemic

The WA Premier has made two major announcements linked to the Covid-19 pandemic, including one the state has been waiting 963 days to hear.

Western Australia’s Covid-19 state of emergency will finally end this week after 963 days, while Premier Mark McGowan has also announced an independent review into the state’s response to the pandemic.

Mr McGowan revealed on Monday the review would ensure preparedness for future pandemics by considering programs that performed effectively and identify areas for improvement.

He told reporters he was not interested in the review being a witch hunt.

Asked if he expected the review to expose some flaws, Mr McGowan replied: “Perhaps. No one’s perfect.”

But the Premier said WA was barely touched by the pandemic

“It’s hard to remember everything that happened ... but generally speaking ... I wouldn’t have done anything differently,” he said.

“We were highly cautious and highly proactive in implementing measures that were pretty tough and strong, with a degree of urgency and that worked.”

Premier Mark McGowan has announced an independent review into WA’s response to the pandemic. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Philip Gostelow

Further details will be announced soon and the report will support WA’s input into any federal review.

Meanwhile, Mr McGowan said the state of emergency would end on Friday and would not be renewed.

“It’s a remarkable milestone in the pandemic and marks the start of a new phase of management,” he said.

“Going forward, basic health advice such as mask wearing as needed, staying home if unwell, getting tested and avoiding high-risk settings until symptoms have cleared is highly recommended.

“These measures can be adopted as a requirement through businesses’ own policies and work health and safety arrangements.

“We won’t need to bring in place the new temporary Covid-19 declaration, either.”

The declaration can be made for three-month periods at a time, but does not allow for the closure of state borders or require an application to enter WA from any other jurisdiction.

It can be used though to implement measures such as mask wearing in certain settings, isolation requirements, enhanced cruise ship protocols and prohibitions to remote Aboriginal communities.

The declaration can be used to implement measures such as mask wearing, isolation requirements, enhanced cruise ship protocols and prohibitions to remote Aboriginal communities. Picture: Tony McDonough / NCA NewsWire

“It will only come into effect in the future if the state emergency co-ordinator believes it to be absolutely necessary,” Mr McGowan said.

“But importantly, these new laws are ready for use should they be required, and we won’t hesitate to escalate our response to Covid if required to keep the community safe.”

Mask rules will remain in place for hospitals and other high-risk settings under health policies.

Asked if he was still getting death threats, Mr McGowan replied: “Not to the same degree, no.”

“There’s a group of people out there who are not happy with what took place but that’s the nature of political life,” he added.

The Premier said the past two-and-a-half years had been unprecedented.

“We played to our natural advantages, took bold steps that were made possible by the state of emergency and worked together in a way that saved lives and livelihoods,” he said.

“I’m proud that together we achieved the best health and economic outcomes in the world.

“I’m very grateful we avoided the mass death and devastation seen around the globe.

“We never treated Western Australian lives as disposable or something to be sacrificed for economic outcomes.

“The best response was always one that put health first.”