WALGA

Lockdown for Perth Metro, Peel and South West Region to Lift at 6:00pm Tonight

The Premier has announced that, pending no further local cases of COVID-19, the current lockdown across three regions in WA will lift at 6:00pm on Friday, 5 February.

The South-West Region will return to its previous state of restrictions and practices, whilst Perth and Peel regions will enter a further eight-day phase of transitional restrictions, scheduled to end at 12:01am on
Sunday, 14 February.

The post lockdown transitional measures for the Perth and Peel regions include:

Everyone must continue to wear a mask in public and while at work, unless exempt or for outdoor vigorous exercise
All business and venues can re-open, except for the casino and nightclubs
Four square metre capacity rule and 150-person capacity at hospitality, entertainment, fitness venues and events including weddings, funerals (excluding staff)
Community sport can involve up to 150 people including players, officials and spectators
Seated service only at hospitality venues
Dancing only permitted at weddings and dance studios
20-person limit for private indoor and outdoor gatherings
Visits to aged care and disability care facilities restricted to compassionate grounds and advocates
Residential school and boarding facilities can resume with a COVID Safety Plan
Only essential travel, including work, is permitted in and out of the Perth and Peel regions to other parts of WA. People leaving the region for essential travel must wear a mask at all times when in other regions.

Schools and higher education facilities can resume, with only specific exemptions to transitional mask requirements applied in the teaching environment and elected surgeries will resume.

FIFO workers will be able to leave the Perth and Peel regions, but documentation will be required and they must follow strict health protocols.

Pre-lockdown requirements for the entire State still remain in place including mandatory contact register requirements, capacity restrictions for major venues, restrictions on travel to remote Aboriginal communities and controlled interstate border arrangements.

Use of contact registers will become a shared responsibility and individuals will now also face penalties if they fail to scan in using either SafeWA app or the contact register available.

At a press conference this morning, the Premier announced no further local cases have been returned and confirmed the transition out of lockdown will commence at 6:00pm as planned.

He also clarified that the four-square-metre capacity rule does not apply in an office environment.

To assist small businesses and charities that have been impacted by this week’s lockdown, the Premier announced a $43 million support package comprising a $500 offset for electricity charges to approximately 85,000 eligible businesses.

In discussing outcomes of the National Cabinet meeting earlier today, the Premier said the current weekly cap on the number of returning international travellers accepted by Western Australia will be extended until the end of February.

Further information on post lockdown transition restrictions will be provided in the State Emergency Directions anticipated to be published this evening.