The Department of Health has announced that protocols to deal with the next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic have now been established and are in their place.
Announcing the move, the Department said the protocols included a new close-contact definition; new testing and isolation guidelines; specific school and childcare centre close-contact protocols; and mandatory positive Rapid Antigen Test registration.
“Quarantine for approved international and interstate travellers will be reduced to seven days, with travellers then required to wear a mask in indoor and outdoor settings for the seven days after they end their self-quarantine,” it said.
“Vaccinated direct international travellers will be permitted to self-quarantine at a suitable premise, if eligible, with the arrivals cap doubled to 530 travellers per week.
“Unvaccinated international arrivals will be required to complete 14 days in hotel quarantine.”
The Department has also launched a two-week, third-dose vaccination blitz, as the State’s double-dose vaccination rate for those aged 12 and older was now at 91.9 per cent.
“Of those Western Australians 16 and over, 37.6 per cent have received a third dose and the third-dose vaccination rate is increasing by around one per cent per day this year,” it said.
Premier, Mark McGowan said the State was about to embark on its most challenging phase of the pandemic.
“For two years WA has avoided the worst of the pandemic, but as the Omicron variant begins to spread in our community, it will cause problems and disrupt our unique way of life,” Mr McGowan said.
“However, our safe and cautious approach throughout the pandemic has helped put WA in the best possible position to try to manage COVID-19 safely,” he said.
