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West Australian Premier Mark McGowan has announced a "cautious relaxation" of some COVID-19 restrictions in the State, including allowing indoor and outdoor non-work gatherings of up to 10 people.
Key Points:
- Gatherings of up to 10 people — indoor and outdoor — will be permitted
- People are advised to stay home except for some key activities, including work
- Non-contact recreational activities, including picnics and fishing, are allowed
Mr McGowan says this will "ensure family and friends can stay connected during the pandemic."
"The changes announced today are sensible and reasonable and are designed to provide some relief for Western Australians," Mr McGowan said.
In WA, a maximum of 10 people will now be allowed at weddings, an increase from the five-person limit.
The 10-person limit remains for funerals.
By increasing the gathering restriction to 10 people, the Government is also trying to trigger economic activity in the housing sector.
Currently, home opens can only occur by appointment. But from tomorrow, home opens and display village openings will be allowed, under strict health controls.
The Government's advice is for people to stay home except for shopping for food and other necessary supplies; medical or other health care needs (including compassionate requirements); exercise (including outdoor personal training without shared equipment); training or university study where remote learning is unavailable; childcare or school; and going to work.
Western Australians can now also leave home for non-contact recreational activities, such as private picnics in the park, fishing, boating, hiking or camping.
WA is now aligned with South Australia on the 10-person rule.
Playgrounds, skateparks remain shut
There were no new COVID-19 cases recorded in the state over the last day, meaning the total remains at 549.
Mr McGowan said WA had been successful in curbing the spread of COVID-19.
"So we can relax some of these restrictions, cautiously," he said.
But many other restrictions remain in place.
All public playgrounds, skateparks and outdoor gym equipment will remain closed.
Restaurants, cafes, food vans and food courts remain restricted to takeaway and home delivery.
Public transport back on track
Perth trains and buses will return to their normal timetables within the next week.
Public transport services had been reduced due to the coronavirus pandemic.
But the Government said with schools starting again it wanted services running to a normal schedule as soon as possible.
From Wednesday, bus services would be back at pre-pandemic levels, including school buses.
Regional school bus services would also start again on Wednesday.
Full train services would return to normal on May 4.
Parking at train stations would remain free and late-night weekend trains would still be cancelled.
Premier says economy is 'dire'
The Premier acknowledged the economic impact of the restrictions had been devastating.
"Our economic situation remains dire," he said, adding the state and federal governments continued to do what they could "to help us get to the other side of this pandemic."
Mr McGowan warned new cases would continue in WA over coming weeks, which was why the state's borders would remain shut "for a long period of time".
"The changes announced today are sensible and reasonable and are designed to provide some relief for West Australians," Mr McGowan said.
"They are low risk but deliver high social benefits. West Australians have done such a great job so far. Although these changes are small, I hope they will be of some benefit."
The State Government had initially imposed a restriction on gatherings to only two people, for a period of a month and included leaving home only for essential needs.
Mr McGowan said following a review and based on health advice, from tomorrow, indoor and outdoor non-work gatherings will be relaxed to allow a maximum of 10 people.
"I strongly encourage that everyone must continue to practice appropriate social distancing," Mr McGowan said.
No new cases, Kimberley clear
Health Minister Roger Cook said he was very pleased WA had recorded no new cases overnight.
Of WA's total of 549 cases, 486 have recovered, leaving 55 active cases across the state.
Mr Cook said all the cases in the Kimberley had now recovered, so there were no active cases in that region.
There are 16 confirmed COVID-19 patients in Perth hospitals, down from 20 on Friday, including four in intensive care.
"Our numbers may be low, but we need to keep it up so we can learn to live with COVID-19," Mr Cook said.
There are 56 recovered COVID-19 cases in regional areas, with no active cases in the Kimberley.
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Topics: covid-19, diseases-and-disorders, health, infectious-diseases-other, respiratory-diseases, perth-6000, wa
First posted