Western Australia easing Covid-19 restrictions from 15th of March

The next stage of eased restrictions to deliver a boost for thousands of Western Australian businesses.
As of Monday, March 15, in line with the latest expert health advice, many Western Australia venues will be permitted to operate at up to 75% of the normal maximum capacity.

This will mean that Western Australia venues continue to have the lightest restrictions and is another major step forward for our State.
Increased capacity of up to 75% will be allowed at seated outdoor and indoor venues including entertainment venues, restaurants, cafés, food courts, bars and places of worship.

This change will come into effect from 12:01 am on Monday 15 March and will permit the following Western Australia venues to operate at either 75% of maximum capacity OR the 2 square metre rule – whichever is greater:

However, the two square metre rule will continue to apply to all other unfixed seating venues and facilities including nightclubs, music events and the casino.
To clarify, for pubs and bars, which have a mix of seated and standing service are included in this new rule, and 75% refers to their total capacity, not just their seated capacity.

Western Australia easing Covid-19 restrictions from 15th of March

The Chief Health Officer will continue to review these arrangements and provide ongoing updated advice, as necessary.

The new 75% rule will be welcome news for many in our hospitality sector. We know many of our businesses have been thriving under Western Australia’s unique approach – and we hope this change will assist them further.

This is a strong, safe step forward for the Western Australia economy. It means Western Australia continues to have the lightest restrictions of all the states in place for local businesses.

It’s thanks to every Western Australian that we can now make this change, said Mark McGowan.

My only request is this – please keep doing the right thing – that means keeping up good habits, staying home when sick, getting tested if you have symptoms and making sure you use the SafeWA app when you head out.

And most importantly, keep getting out their, supporting our local businesses, and keeping our State strong.

SafeWA is the Western Australia Government’s free contact register app, which offers a secure and efficient way to check-in via a QR code.
Information obtained through this app goes directly to Western Australia Health and is securely stored for 28 days unless it is needed for contact tracing purposes.

More than 1.1 million Western Australians and 32,000 businesses have already downloaded SafeWA, and there have been more than 20 million check-ins with the app since its launch last month.

Industry engagement will be conducted with stakeholders over the next two weeks to ensure these expanded measures are implemented smoothly.

Public transport users are encouraged to register their SmartRider card to ensure their contact details are available if needed. People are also encouraged to tag on and off Free Transit Zone bus services with their SmartRider. People who have registered should ensure they check their details are up-to-date. Passengers using Central Area Transit (CAT) buses are also encouraged to use the SafeWA QR code, which will be available in the coming weeks.

SafeWA can be downloaded from Apple App Store or Google Play Store and more information can be found at https://www.wa.gov.au/SafeWA

Anyone in Western Australia will now be assessed for a COVID-19 test if they present with ANY of the following:

If you have these symptoms, please get tested, and help us identify every case of COVID-19 in Western Australia as early as possible.
To find a testing location, please visit: https://healthywa.wa.gov.au/ Articles/A_E/ COVID-clinics

Official information regarding COVID-19 in Western Australia – www.wa.gov.au/covid19
Western Australia Department of Health information – www.healthywa.wa.gov.au
National Coronavirus Helpline – 1800 020 080
Western Australia COVID-19 health and information and advice – 13 COVID (13 26843)

Western Australia easing Covid-19 restrictions from 15th of March