A new roadmap to ease proposed COVID-19 restrictions around the State has been published by the Department of the Premier and Cabinet.
The four-phase plan was developed in conjunction with the National Cabinet framework and is based on the best advice from WA Health.
Phase One is already in place following the cautious relaxing of some restrictions from 27 April to allow families and friends to stay connected.
Phase Two comes into effect next Monday (18 May), focusing on encouraging Western Australians to return to work, unless they are unwell or vulnerable.
Premier, Mark McGowan said if businesses or premises wanted to reopen they would be required to complete an official COVID Safety Plan, more details if which would be released shortly.
“As part of Phase Two, regional travel restrictions will also change, bringing the number of current borders within Western Australia from 13 to only four,” Mr McGowan said.
“Western Australia’s hard border with the rest of Australia will remain in place, and is expected to be the final restriction lifted.”
He said the phased approach allowed for COVID-19 to be carefully monitored in the State and for restrictions to be eased in a way that supported the economy, with the smallest risk to the community’s health.
“It might not meet everyone’s expectation, but we are doing what we can to carefully get businesses up and going that have been devastated by the impacts of COVID-19,” the Premier said.
Minister for Health, Roger Cook said the plan allowed health experts to review the impact of the changes before the move to the next phase of restrictions being lifted.
The new roadmap can be accessed at this PS News link.
