Record number of Covid-19 cases as WA Premier reveals date for border reopening

West Australian Premier Mark McGowan has finally revealed a new date for bringing down the hard border.

Western Australia’s hard border will finally come down on March 3, while a raft of restrictions are also being introduced.

Premier Mark McGowan told reporters on Friday that quarantine-free travel would be allowed for triple-dose vaccinated people aged 12 and over if eligible.

He said he could not foresee a reason for the date changing again.

Under the new rules, interstate travellers must declare their vaccination status through the G2G pass and take a rapid antigen test, which will be provided to them at the airport, within 12 hours.

A positive result must be reported to WA Health.

International arrivals must follow commonwealth rules, complete a G2G pass and take a RAT within 12 hours of arrival.

Unvaccinated returning Australians from overseas must complete seven days of hotel quarantine.

Mr McGowan said he had written to the Prime Minister to indicate those arrivals would be capped at 70 per week.

“I know removing the hard border is a step that some in the community have been looking forward to,” he said.

Today we announced the new date for WA’s full border opening – and it’s worth talking through how we got here.

Four weeks ago, on January 20, we took the difficult decision to delay Western Australia’s full border opening. pic.twitter.com/zEpV2tQRoR

— Mark McGowan (@MarkMcGowanMP) February 18, 2022

Mr McGowan also noted some people would be feeling apprehensive, but he said WA’s vaccination rate was high.

Based on current projections, WA will have a third-dose rate of 70 per cent.

Children aged five to 11 are expected to have a first-dose vaccination rate of 65 per cent.

“The virus is already here and we cannot stop its spread,” Mr McGowan said.

“March 3 will be a step forward for WA — a safe step forward, taken at the right time, in the right way for the right reasons.”

The Premier will travel to Sydney next week to testify in-person at a defamation trial involving billionaire Clive Palmer.

Mr McGowan said it was a coincidence that the border would come down a couple of days after he returned from the trial.

“It’s a coincidence that I am unable to avoid ... but I will be doing seven days of quarantine,” he said.

“I’ll be in a hotel room, working from a hotel room, doing a full seven days just so there can be no argument by anyone that somehow this was put in place to benefit myself.”

Mr McGowan said he was trying to set an example and do the right thing by WA.

The Premier has also announced changes to Covid-19 restrictions.

Effective from 6am on February 21, the indoor mask requirements will be extended statewide.

“Omicron is fast-moving. If it’s not already in a specific region, we can assume it will be there soon,” Mr McGowan said.

Premier Mark McGowan gave the Covid update on Friday. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tony McDonough

He said the government would also introduce so-called “level one measures” in regions where there was currently community transmission.

From February 21, the “mild” measures will apply in the Perth, Peel, South West, Great Southern, Wheatbelt and Pilbara regions.

It includes the 2 sqm rule for hospitality and entertainment venues, cultural and fitness venues, hairdressers and beauty services, and places of worship.

Theatres, cinemas and major stadiums can have a 75 per cent capacity.

Nightclubs must also follow the 2 sqm rule, but crowds will be capped at 500 patrons.

Crown must have seated service requirements on the gaming floor, in addition to the 2 sqm rule.

“While this will be disappointing to some operators, these measures allow major events, live music and hospitality venues to keep operating safely,” Mr McGowan said.

“It’s important to note that standing consumption is still allowed and dancing is still allowed.”

Home gatherings will be limited to 30 people, while private outdoor events will be capped at 200.

Hospitals, disability care and aged care will be limited to four visitors per day, with masks and vaccination mandatory.

“However, there will be exemptions for compassionate reasons,” Mr McGowan said.

People are not required to work from home, but Mr McGowan said businesses and office environments should take appropriate steps to ensure they remained Covid-safe.

This is our WA COVID-19 update for Friday, 18 February 2022.
For official information on COVID-19 in WA, visit https://t.co/gIGAhoXMnmhttps://t.co/o2z4UsC9Vipic.twitter.com/P0WkUuU5my

— Mark McGowan (@MarkMcGowanMP) February 18, 2022

Mr McGowan said “much harsher” level two measures might be enacted later if deemed necessary.

They may include masks for those in Year 3 and above, working from home for vulnerable people, RATs for visitors at residential aged care and disability facilities, and home gatherings reduced to 10 people.

It may also include the 4 sqm rule indoors and 2 sqm outdoors for hospitality, fitness venues, indoor entertainment venues, cultural venues, places of worship, hairdressers and beauty services.

WA recorded 194 local cases and eight travel-related infections overnight, including 18 self-reported positive rapid antigen tests.

It brings the state’s total number of active cases to 724 but none are in hospital.

Meanwhile, Southern River MLA Terry Healy has reportedly been identified as a close contact of a confirmed case and is now awaiting the result of his PCR test.

The Labor MP delivered a lengthy speech in Parliament House on Thursday.

If he tests positive, other MPs may also be forced into seven days of self-isolation.

Originally published as Record number of Covid-19 cases as WA Premier reveals date for border reopening