The McGowan Government has announced Phase 3 of the roadmap to ease COVID-19 restrictions in WA, with significant changes coming into effect from Saturday, June 6.
The roadmap is the State Government’s four-phased plan to safely get Western Australians back to work, social and recreational activities, and continue to restart WA’s economy.
Phase 3 can be introduced from June 6 due to the success in limiting community transmission of COVID-19 in WA during Phase 2, and on the advice of the Chief Health Officer and State Emergency Coordinator.
As part of Phase 3, Western Australia will be the first State in the nation to implement a two square metre per person capacity rule for venues, replacing the previous four square metre rule, which is the current national advice.
Western Australians must continue to practice physical distancing and good personal hygiene at all times.
Phase 3 will come into effect from Saturday, June 6 (11.59pm Friday, June 5). It includes:
- non-work indoor and outdoor gatherings of up to 100 people at any one time, per single undivided space, up to 300 people in total per venue (100/300 rule);
- food businesses and licensed premises may operate with seated service;
- alcohol may be served without a meal at licensed premises (patrons must be seated);
- food courts can reopen with a seated service;
- beauty therapy and personal care services to reopen;
- saunas, bath houses, float centres, massage and wellness centres to reopen (100/300 rule);
- galleries, museums, theatres, auditoriums, cinemas and concert venues can reopen (during any performance, the patrons must be seated. (100/300 rule));
- Rottnest Island to reopen to the WA general public;
- Perth Zoo to open with no patron limit for the whole venue (the 100/300 rule applies to indoor spaces and cafés/restaurants);
- wildlife and amusement parks can reopen (100/300 rule);
- arcades (including pool/snooker, ten pin bowling, Timezone), skate rinks and indoor play centres to reopen (100/300 rule);
- auction houses and real estate auctions can reopen;
- TAB and other gaming venues (other than the Casino which is being considered separately) are permitted to reopen;
- full contact sport and training is now permitted;
- playgrounds, skate parks and outdoor gym equipment are permitted to be used;
- parents/guardians will be able to enter school grounds to drop off or pick up their children;
- gyms, health clubs and indoor sports centres will be able to offer the normal range of activities, including the use of all gym equipment (gyms must be staffed at all times and undertake regular cleaning).
Large community sporting facilities or wildlife parks that can accommodate more than 300 patrons, while allowing for two square metres per patron, may be able to apply for an exemption to the 300 patron limit through wa.gov.au for a decision by the Chief Health Officer.
Travel will now be permitted throughout Western Australia, including into the Kimberley region, pending the Commonwealth’s approval to remove the Biosecurity Area on June 5. Access into remote Aboriginal communities will remain prohibited.
WA businesses are reminded that they must submit a COVID Safety Plan, prior to reopening, to ensure they mitigate the risk of COVID-19, in line with health advice. Premises that opened during Phase 2 should update their COVID Safety Plans accordingly.
Phase 4 will be finalised in the coming weeks, based on the advice from the Chief Health Officer and will take into account the impact of Phase 3 in the WA community.
As per the advice from the Chief Health Officer, Western Australia’s hard border with the rest of Australia will remain in place.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
“This is another significant step in our roadmap to recovery and sees Western Australia continue to lead the way on easing restrictions.
“We’ve been able to commence Phase 3 earlier than initially planned, due to consistently low numbers of COVID-19 and based on health advice, as has always been the case.
“Western Australia’s performance has been world-leading. Each and every Western Australian can feel proud that their hard work and willingness to do the right thing during what has been an incredibly difficult time, has got us to this point.
“I know how frustrating the restrictions can be. I wish we could remove them all at once, but we need to be responsible and follow the health advice – it’s worked so far.
“Phase 3 is a big step forward for our State. It allows more people to get out and enjoy a meal or a drink with friends and family, supporting local businesses.
“Reducing the four square metre rule down to the two square metre rule is possible thanks to WA’s success in minimising the spread of COVID-19, and our hard border with the Eastern States.
“It will also allow Western Australians to enjoy more social and recreational activities and continue to get back to a more normal way of life.”
As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:
“Western Australians have all played a big role in our success of managing COVID-19.
“Phase 3 is a crucial part of our roadmap to get Western Australia moving again, but in a COVID safe way.
“The further easing of restrictions will be welcomed by many, but I ask everyone to maintain strict health guidelines, like good personal hygiene and physical distancing, to ensure Western Australians are kept safe.
“The roadmap allows for health experts to review the impact of the changes, before we move to the next phase of restrictions being lifted.
“I encourage Western Australians to embrace these changes and continue to support local small businesses as much as possible.”
