Western Australians are set to benefit from the latest suite of modifications to venue capacity and WA's controlled border arrangements, following the latest public health advice.
Certain indoor and outdoor venues with fixed seating in Western Australia will be able to operate at 100 per cent capacity from 12.01am tomorrow (April 10).
This will allow more people into venues to enjoy seated entertainment and sporting events, connect with members of their community, and further support local businesses and jobs.
The following indoor and outdoor venues will be able to move to 100 per cent of the fixed seating capacity, and SafeWA and contact registers will continue as mandatory:
- auditoriums and amphitheatres;
- theatres;
- concert halls;
- cinemas;
- comedy lounges; and
- performing arts centres.
WA's major venues such as Optus Stadium, RAC Arena, HBF Stadium - Main Arena, and HBF Park will be able to have 100 per cent of the fixed seating capacity in the spectator seating and special seating spaces.
Places of worship will be able to have 100 per cent of capacity of a space being used for formal worship.
Seated hospitality venues, including restaurants, cafés, food courts and bars that provide seated service only, will remain at 75 per cent capacity. This is based on the latest public health advice, due to their higher risk of increased mixing and face to face interactions.
The two square metre rule will continue to apply to all other venues and facilities with a mixture of seating and standing, unfixed seating or standing alone.
It is expected these arrangements will be in place for at least a month before being reviewed by WA's Chief Health Officer, and if the situation remains encouraging, the Chief Health Officer is set to make more recommendations on further easing of restrictions.
The Chief Health Officer has also provided advice to the McGowan Government following the completion of a controlled border classification review.
The review took into consideration analysis of outbreaks and periods of community transmission, as well as the successful use of border controls and requirement for people having to complete 14 days of self-quarantine from the day they leave a higher-risk location.
New advice now changes the requirements to move a 'low risk' jurisdiction to a 'very low risk' jurisdiction from at least 28 days to at least 14 days of no community cases of COVID-19.
Therefore, from 12.01am, Monday, April 19, pending no further outbreaks, WA's border arrangement is set to be safely adjusted and Queensland will transition to 'very low risk' and people will be able to enter WA without having to quarantine, subject to strict conditions.
The McGowan Government today also announced plans to allow for safe and quarantine-free travel between Western Australia and New Zealand.
New Zealand is set to join WA's safe and sensible controlled border as a 'very low risk' jurisdiction from 12.01am, Monday April 19, pending no further outbreaks.
This means travellers from New Zealand will be able to enter WA without having to quarantine, subject to strict conditions.
To prohibit border hopping from other countries outside of Australia and New Zealand, currently arrivals, outside of Australia, entering New Zealand must also complete 14 days of quarantine similar to arrangements in place for international arrivals into Australia.
Travellers entering WA from 'very low risk' jurisdictions must:
- complete a mandatory G2G PASS registration and declaration prior to travel
- on arrival at Perth Airport, complete a health screening
- scan your G2G PASS to exit the airport.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"I want to thank all Western Australians for their efforts in keeping WA safe from COVID-19.
"These changes represent significant benefit to many businesses and Western Australians, however there are still some restrictions that are needed based on health advice.
"Our situation in WA is very encouraging and if it continues to track the way it is, it will demonstrate good reason for further changes - pending public health advice at the time.
"Western Australia has been the envy of the country, if not the world, so it's crucial we all do our bit to keep it that way, to keep our community healthy and our economy thriving.
"We all have a shared responsibility, it's as simple as using SafeWA to check in when we're out, staying home if we're unwell and getting tested if we have symptoms.
"While these changes are very positive, Western Australians should not underestimate the virus and its ability to disrupt and destroy lives and livelihoods.
"It was less than two weeks ago that Queensland went into a snap three-day lockdown following an outbreak, and while our border arrangements allow for safe travel it is also a fast and effective measure to stop the virus.
"That is why I will not hesitate to bring back hard borders should we need to protect Western Australians from COVID-19."
As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:
"Western Australia has gone nearly a year without a case of community transmission, which is an amazing result.
"We are now a year into the pandemic and the situation in Australia has improved significantly.
"As a result, the Chief Health Officer has updated his advice relating to our controlled border arrangements and we'll likely be able to welcome Queenslander travellers back into WA quarantine-free very soon.
"While these changes are welcomed and will be enjoyed by our community, it's also a timely reminder that we must continue to practise COVID-safe principles.
"Whenever you're out and about, please remember to check-in at venues using the SafeWA app and remember to stay at home if unwell.
"Western Australians have done a remarkable job to eliminate COVID-19 and I thank everyone for their efforts."
