A raft of COVID-19 restrictions will be eased across Western Australia from Friday (April 29) including the state’s indoor mask mandate.
Under the changes, masks will not be required, except on public transport and in rideshare cars, at airports, correctional facilities, hospitals and other health care buildings, including aged care.
All capacity and gathering limits will be lifted and there will be no caps on visitors to the home, weddings or funerals and no limits in stadiums or major events and assemblies, camps, balls and off-site events at schools can resume.
Proof of vaccination requirements will be removed for entry in to all venues except for hospitals and residential aged care facilities, however the vaccination requirements for employment will remain.
Western Australia will also join other states in removing quarantine requirements for asymptomatic close contacts, provided they adhere to strict requirements.
Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the changes were modest but necessary. “This will be the new normal for a while and while with these changes case numbers may rise and hospitalisations may rise but it can be managed,” she said, adding: “It’s important to note the pandemic is not over. COVID is still in the community.”