West Australian anti-vaxxers plot private pool gatherings as rec centres ban them from entering

West Australian anti-vaxxers are plotting to host fellow unvaccinated locals in their homes after they were banned from entering recreation centres.

Anti-vax West Australians are opening up their homes to fellow unvaxxed community members following the introduction of the state’s strict proof-of-vaccination rules.

While only a small section of society remain unvaccinated, disturbing threads have emerged online of how they plan to continue socialising and gathering in private.

New rules that took effect on Monday made vaccines mandatory for a host of settings including hospitality, bottle shops, nightclubs, and all entertainment venues including indoor sporting centres.

Failure to follow the rules may lead to imprisonment for up to 12 months or a fine of up to $50,000 for individuals and up to $250,000 for businesses.

WA Premier Mark McGowan has barred unvaccinated people from most public settings across the state. Picture: Matt Jelonek/Getty Images

The vaccine mandate also applies to critical businesses, which make up the majority of the state’s workforce.

Outraged anti-vaxxers protested the new rules – the strictest in the nation – outside Perth police station on Monday.

They also brought the Mitchell Freeway to a standstill for about 10 minutes during peak-hour traffic.

Among those upset with the restrictions were a members of an online community group for locals of Pinjarra, in the state’s Peel region.

With unvaccinated people no longer having access to local recreation centres, several members offered anti-vaxxers the option to swim in their private pools.

“Hi since the unvaxxed can’t go to the swimming pools anymore happy for local unjabbed to use my pool just PM [private message] me,” one woman posted in the group.

Pinjarra locals are opening their private pools to fellow anti-vaxxers. Picture: Facebook

Many seemed thrilled at the offer, with several claiming they too would be willing to open their home to random unvaccinated locals.

“You’re welcome at mine too,” one replied, while another also offered use of her gym equipment, writing: “Mine too, I have a little home gym set up now too, always happy to have a work out partner”.

A few expressed support of the “initiative”, labelling the women “amazing and generous”, “so kind”, and “very thoughtful”.

It was also suggested that nearby swimming lake Drakesbrook Weir, in Waroona, be used by unvaccinated people who can’t get into the recreation centres.

This is our WA COVID-19 update for Monday, 31 January 2022.

For official information on COVID-19 in WA, visit https://t.co/zTYXZCJrTJhttps://t.co/LMImtqdUl3pic.twitter.com/7dRFP5chL7

— Mark McGowan (@MarkMcGowanMP) January 31, 2022

“What a beautiful thing to offer us unvaxxed people, thank you,” one comment read.

Others were notably dismayed at what they were reading, commenting, “seriously?” and labelling the post “freaky”.

Proof of vaccination is now required almost everywhere across the state for people aged 16 and over.

It includes anyone visiting residential aged care facilities and hospitals, although there will be exemptions such as people seeing sick children, end-of-life visits and birth partners.

Other venues where proof of vaccination must be shown include:

– Pubs, bars, taverns and nightclubs;

– Cafes, restaurants and dine-in fast food;

– Cinemas, theatres and museums;

– Gyms and fitness centres;

– Zoos and amusement parks;

– Bottle shops, including drive-throughs;

– Crown Perth complex;

– Major stadiums; and

– Music festivals and indoor events with more than 500 people.

More information about proof of vaccination can be found here.

Premier Mark McGowan announced a raft of new measures last week set to take effect when daily cases began to peak.

WA’s Covid rules for a ‘high case load environment’:

– Under the new rules, casual contacts won’t be considered, and close contacts will refer to household contact, an intimate partner or someone who has had a close interaction with someone while they were infectious.

– People will need to get a test if they spend more than 15 minutes close to an infectious person without a mask, or two hours in a small room with an infectious person while wearing masks.

– The state will have new testing and isolation protocols that will come in and will be different for close contacts and critical workers.

– Close contacts who are critical workers will be able to attend work if they are asymptomatic, have a negative rapid antigen test daily, wear a surgical mask and isolate outside of the home.

– Positive cases will have to isolate for seven days, rather than 14 days, and no test will be required after seven days if symptoms are gone.