The Western Australian government has announced a series of new COVID-19 rules to combat the Omicron variant.
Despite WA pushing back it’s border reopening date indefinitely, there have been many new rules imposed state-wide that will be a big change for people all over the state.
The main change is that from today, proof of vaccination for people 16 and older will be required for all hospitality venues, nightclubs, bottle shops, major stadiums, gyms, music festivals, zoos, indoor entertainment venues, and for visitors to residential aged care and hospitals.
These changes also mean that employees in these workforces must have received their first dose by 31st January, and their second dose by the 28th February.
People in Western Australia can show their proof of vaccination through the ServiceWA app or the Express Plus Medicare app.
You can also show a vaccine certificate, or an immunisation history statement, alongside some form of ID.
These methods can also be used to prove a medical exemption from receiving a vaccination.
Under the Emergency Management Act 2005 (WA), failure to comply with the rules may attract a penalty of imprisonment of up to 12 months, or a fine of up to $50,000 for individuals and up to $250,000 for businesses.
The update comes after WA’s Premier Mark McGowan indefinitely closed the border earlier this month as Omicron spread throughout the rest of the nation.
“Allowing a wave of Omicron cases to fly straight into Perth from February 5, with no testing, no quarantine and no public health measures would cause a flood of the disease across our State,” McGowan said.
“WA’s new Safe Transition Plan will begin to be implemented on February 5. However, the full border opening has been delayed.”
