Mask-free socialising is back on the agenda for West Australians as the state relaxes a list of much loathed COVID-19 restrictions from Friday.
West Aussies celebrating their newfound freedom have been urged to support local shops, cafes and restaurants which “have been doing it tough”.
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From proof of vaccination to close contact changes, here’s what you need to know.
Do I still need my mask?Yes, don’t throw away your masks completely.
The indoor mask rule has been scrapped, meaning you no longer need to cover up except in the following high-risk settings:
airportspublic transport, taxis and rideshare vehicleshospitals, residential aged care and disability service facilitiescorrectional facilitiesPremier Mark McGowan said on Friday anyone who wanted to continue wearing a mask should do so.
What is a close contact?Close contacts include household members and intimate partners of positive cases who have had contact with them during their infectious period.
It also includes those who have spent four hours with a positive case in a residential setting where masks were not worn.
But the isolation rules have now changed.
You now only need to isolate if you are a positive case or a close contact with symptoms.
Premier Mark McGowan encouraged West Australians to approach the new rules with ‘a bit of common sense’. Credit: AAPIf you are a close contact with no symptoms, you can leave the house – with a few restrictions.
For the seven days you would have otherwise been isolating, you can head outside if you undergo daily rapid antigen tests, wear a mask and avoid high-risk settings such as hospitals.
You are also “strongly encouraged” to avoid non-essential gatherings and people vulnerable to COVID and to work from home where possible.
If you then test positive, you’ll have to isolate for a further seven days.
What are the changes for schools?Assemblies, school camps and balls are back on the cards as almost all remaining public health measures are removed.
The government is also handing out 12 million free RATs to schools and childcare facilities, which parents will be encouraged to collect to test their children if symptoms develop.
Is travel affected?WA’s G2G pass registration is no longer necessary to enter the state, nor will interstate arrivals need to be triple dose vaccinated.
International travellers must still be double dose vaccinated, in line with the Commonwealth’s requirements.
Unvaccinated international arrivals will also continue to quarantine for seven days.
Any other changes?Density and capacity limits have been scrapped, meaning weddings, parties and stadium events can go ahead without a cap on attendees.
The two square metre rule has also been removed for venues and businesses – a welcome relief for the hospitality industry.
Patrons will no longer need to show their proof of vaccination to enter businesses and venues, but workplace vaccination rules remain.
This means an unvaccinated person can now go to a pub but the staff must be vaccinated to work there.
Despite this, Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson on Wednesday said she would not encourage those unvaccinated to rush back to venues and urged them to instead “consider the vulnerable members of the community”.
Vaccine proof will still be required to visit residential aged care and hospitals, where patients will now be allowed two visitors each per day.
Essential visitors are also now allowed at hospitals for compassionate reasons, birth partners, carers and guardians.
Are the rules gone for good?Sanderson said the measures are WA’s “new normal” for a while, but warned the much loathed rules might not be gone for good.
“We know with COVID it’s very unpredictable, so we need the capacity to reintroduce measures to protect the health of the community, but this is a great step forward,” she said.
She said the pandemic is not over and urged the community to remember the risk of COVID.
“COVID is still in the community and if you are unlucky, if you are vulnerable it can be dangerous,” she said.
Proof of vaccination requirements are no longer required to enter hospitality venues. Credit: Taiyou Nomachi/Getty ImagesThe premier urged West Aussies to approach the new rules with “a bit of common sense”.
“We’re obviously not out of the pandemic yet, but obviously we can see the finish line, so we want to make sure as we get to that finish line we have a sensible approach to dealing with the pandemic,” he said on Friday.
“I encourage all West Australians to get out, support your local businesses … please get out there and support them as much as you possibly can.”