A number of Western Australia’s Stage Three COVID-19 restrictions have been eased to help families and friends stay connected during the current pandemic.
The changes, based on health advice, will mean that indoor and outdoor non-work gatherings will be relaxed to allow for up to 10 people, lifted from the two-person limit.
The reliefs follow a continued low number of new cases and the encouraging response to COVID-19 in the State.
Premier, Mark McGowan said everyone should continue to practise appropriate social distancing and stay home except for shopping, medical or health care needs, exercise, training or university study, childcare or school or work.
Also allowed now is non-contact recreational activities such as private picnics in the park, fishing, boating, hiking and camping, as long as they are in compliance with travel restrictions and the 10-person rule.
“A maximum of 10 people will be allowed at weddings, funerals, outdoor personal training (no shared equipment), open homes and display village inspections as part of these changes,” Mr McGowan said.
“All public playgrounds, skate parks and outdoor gym equipment are to remain closed and restaurants, cafés, food vans, food courts and road houses remain restricted to takeaway and home delivery.”
He said the decisions were based on the best medical advice in the country and, as outlined by National Cabinet, restrictions could be in place for six months, but subject to regular review.
Minister for Health, Roger Cook said Western Australians had been compliant and recognised the need to work together during these trying times.
“Our numbers [of infections and deaths] may be low but we need to keep it that way, so we can learn to live with COVID-19,” Mr Cook said.
“This could see some increases in cases, but should not be seen as an automatic trigger to reverse the relaxation of restrictions — it will be closely monitored by WA Health using expert Public Health analysis,” he said.
