Based on the latest health advice, upgraded public health and social measures will be introduced State-wide from 12.01am Thursday, March 3.
As a result of Western Australia’s world-leading vaccination rate, the reviewed Level 2 measures include:
- children in Years 3-6 added to mask wearing requirements in all public indoor settings, usual exemptions apply;
- home gatherings limited to a total of 10 people indoors and outdoors, except weddings and funerals;
- private outdoor gatherings in a public space limited to 50 people;
- two square metre rule and 150 person capacity limit indoors or outdoors for weddings and funerals, and for places of worship – no more than 10 people inside if held at a private residence;
- two square metre rule and 150 patron capacity limit for fitness venues, hospitality, entertainment venues, nightclubs, and galleries and museums, with seated service only;
- two square metre rule for hairdressers, tattoo parlours and beauty services;
- two square metre rule and 500 person capacity limit for outdoor public venues and events, with mask wearing;
- two square metre rule for public venues such as swimming pools and recreation centres;
- 50 per cent capacity limit for entertainment venues with forward facing seating such as theatres and cinemas, and for major stadia, including Optus Stadium, RAC Arena, HBF Stadium (main area) and HBF Park – including mask wearing;
- limit of two visitors per resident per day to aged care and disability care facilities;
- no visitors to hospitals except for spouses, parents or carers, birth partners or for compassionate reasons;
- two square metre rule and 150 person capacity limit indoors or outdoors for higher education facilities including pathway colleges and English language schools;
- indoor community sports as per venue requirement, with no spectators, except for parents or guardians. Outdoor community sports permitted with no spectators, except for parents or guardians; and
- four square metre rule and seated service only for the Crown Casino gaming floor.
These Level 2 measures are expected to be in place for about four weeks, with a review to be undertaken at the end of the month.
Level 1 measures currently apply across the State in addition to existing indoor mask requirements, proof of vaccination, contact registration and restrictions to remote Aboriginal communities.
For more information on public health and social measures, please visit www.wa.gov.au
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
“Based on the latest health advice, we have finalised the Level 2 public health measures and will need to introduce them in line with the WA border opening in full.
“While these are upgraded measures to our current Level 1 settings, they do not go as far as we originally thought we might have needed to go – and this is simply because of our world-leading vaccination rate.
“More than 95 per cent of Western Australians have received two doses and almost 63 per cent of those aged 16 and over are now triple dose vaccinated.
“In light of this, we have so far mitigated the need to move to the severe four square metre rule for businesses, which would have a much larger impact on WA jobs.
“The measures that will take effect from Thursday are focused on decreasing the number of people that mix in high-risk venues to minimise the surge in cases and hospitalisations.
“As Omicron case numbers continue to significantly increase throughout our State, it is now more important than ever that we listen to the health advice and do all that we can to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.”
As stated by Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
“Throughout the pandemic, the McGowan Government has acted quickly to protect the health of Western Australians.
“Today, we have announced additional public health and social measures that will come into effect on Thursday to ensure we are in the best position we can be as cases increase.
“This swift action is expected to ensure that these measures are in place for only a limited time and I thank businesses for their continued assistance.
“Vaccination remains our best protection and I’d urge all those who are eligible to get their third dose.”
