The Western Australian Government Pandemic Plan has been updated to respond directly to the potential impacts of COVID-19.
The Pandemic Plan, which was last updated in 2014, sets out arrangements for protecting the community and minimising potential impacts of the coronavirus, and recovery afterwards.
Sustained community transmission of the virus will signal an imminent pandemic and the State Government will continue to take the best advice from health authorities in assessing the situation here in WA.
The Plan ensures the Government will continue to deliver essential services and outlines roles, responsibilities and actions to prevent, prepare, respond and recover from a pandemic, providing practical guidance and advice for government agencies, private businesses, the community, households and individuals.
This Plan also considers potential health, community, social and economic impacts, ranging from demands on the health care system to pressures on workplaces, businesses and law and order, disruption to community events and gatherings and demands on goods, services and supplies.
The Plan supports a suite of specific health and emergency management plans including the State Hazard Plan - Human Biosecurity, which is managed by the Department of Health and includes detailed arrangements for managing and responding to a pandemic.
These are further supported by legal and emergency powers the State Government is able to exercise if needed to further protect the community.
Currently WA's emergency management is at the 'response' stage, in line with the National Communicable Disease Plan.
Members of the public can telephone the COVID-19 Health Information Line on 1800 020 080 for advice and find more information, including specific clinic locations, by visiting http://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au
The Western Australian Government Pandemic Plan is available at http://www.wa.gov.au/covid19
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"I understand there is considerable public concern regarding COVID-19 and want to reassure Western Australians that we are prepared and have the ability and capability to respond to and recover from a pandemic situation.
"We need to be prepared for a pandemic, my Government is taking this very seriously. Every action we take and decision we make is to protect Western Australians.
"Good planning means we need to consider every scenario and the Western Australian Government Pandemic Plan, together with other specific and detailed health and emergency management plans already activated, prepares us for every possible scenario.
"The Government will continue to deliver essential services and I encourage the community, private businesses, households and individuals to stay calm and prepare but there is no need to panic.
"We are looking to the WA community for their goodwill and co-operation over the coming months. Continue to go about your ordinary business and if the situation changes, we will provide you with timely advice on what to do."
As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:
"The McGowan Government is doing everything it can to ensure Western Australia is as prepared as possible for a pandemic situation.
"Already we've undertaken a suite of preparative measures including several bans for work-related and school-related international travel, established COVID clinics with plans to expand into more locations and we continue to monitor workforce impacts.
"The plans we have in place are also supported by legal and emergency powers we are able to exercise, should we need to, as further protection to the community.
"We will continue to update you on the situation and urge every Western Australian to remain calm, use common sense and listen to the advice. It is important that the community follow the instructions given by the Health Department."
