Current Advice for Western Australia

Previously, from 12:01am, Friday 29 April 2022 the following restrictions will be change,

Masks

• No longer mandatory except for high risk settings for people aged 12 years and older (including year 7s) in the following settings:
  • on public transport, in taxis and rideshare vehicles and other passenger transport
  • airports
  • hospitals, residential aged care and disability service facilities, and correctional facilities.
• Masks are encouraged where physical distancing isn’t possible.

Close Contacts

• Close contacts with no symptoms are not required to isolate for 7 days, but must:
  • undertake a daily Rapid Antigen Test and obtain a negative result
  • wear a mask when leaving the house,
  • avoid high-risk settings, including hospitals, healthcare settings, aged care facilities, residential care facilities (including disability care facilities and mental health residential facilities) and correctional facilities unless they work at these locations. Relevant workers entering high risk settings are subject to additional obligations.
• They are also strongly encouraged to:
  • avoid non-essential gatherings and contact with people at risk of severe illness
  • work from home, where possible
  • notify their employer/educational facility of their close contact status.
• Close contacts with no symptoms who work in a high-risk setting must also:
  • advise their employer they are a close contact
  • seek confirmation from their employer to attend work
  • monitor for symptoms
  • immediately leave the workplace and return home if they develop symptoms or become COVID positive
  • only enter or remain at the high-risk setting for the purposes of their work duties
  • wear a surgical mask while at work along with any PPE requirements from their employer
  • not share break areas at work with any other person
  • maintain physical distancing
• Close contacts with symptoms must continue to isolate until symptoms resolve and get tested as per existing protocols.
• If a close contact tests positive, they must isolate for a further 7 days as per arrangements for positive COVID-19 cases.

Density and capacity limits

• The 2 square metre rule removed for venues and businesses
• Capacity limits removed for all entertainment venues, stadiums and events

Proof of COVID-19 vaccinations

• No longer required to enter venues and businesses
• Still required to visit hospitals and residential aged care facilities
• Mandatory workplace vaccination requirements will remain in place.

COVID Safety and Event Plans

• No longer mandatory but still encouraged

 

Previously, from 12.01am, Thursday 14 April, public health measures will be relaxed further.

Current restrictions, Level 1 measures: All of state

• The 2sqm rule also applies to fitness venues
• Masks are required for people aged 8 years and over everywhere indoors, other than in the home. The usual exemptions from mask requirements apply.
• People are required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccinations when entering gyms, fitness studios and centres, either in a digital or paper-based form, along with approved identification, if required.
• Contact registration will only be required for people visiting a hospital

 

Previously, Level 2 measures: All of state

The 2sqm rule, a maximum of 150 patrons (not including staff) where food and beverages are served, with seated service only, applies to high risk venues including fitness venues.

Masks are required for people aged 8 years and over (year 3 and over for schools):

• everywhere indoors, other than in the home. The usual exceptions from mask requirements apply.

Proof of vaccination is required for a gym, indoor sporting centre, health club, or dance studio (including a centre offering yoga, barre, Pilates, aerobics, dancing, spin facilities or other fitness class), except when community sport is being played. From 28 February 2022, staff will need to be double dose vaccinated, unless medically exempt: Proof of vaccination frequently asked questions

Gyms, indoor sporting centres, wellness centres, health clubs and fitness centres are required to maintain a contact register. The WA Government’s SafeWA app is an easy way for people to check-in at businesses. A manual contact register must also be available.

 

Previously, Level 1 public health and social measures to apply to apply state-wide from 6:00am, Monday 28 February

• Kimberley region from 6:00am, Saturday 26 February
• Gascoyne, Mid West and Goldfields-Esperance regions from 6:00am, Monday 28 February.

2sqm rule for:

• Outdoor gatherings at a private residence
• Hospitality venues
• Fitness venues (including gyms, pilates, yoga and dance studios)

 

Previously, from 6am Monday, 21 February, (applicable to Perth, Peel, South West, Wheatbelt, Great Southern and Pilbara regions).

In addition to the existing indoor mask requirements, proof of vaccination, contact registration and restricted access to remote Aboriginal communities, Level 1 measures for indoor fitness and sport (incl. Pilates) also include:

Capacity limits

2sqm rule for Fitness venues (including gyms, Pilates, yoga and dance studios)

• COVID Safety Plans to be expanded to early childhood education and childcare services, hairdressers and barbers, and encouraged for all workplaces
• Workplaces to implement COVID-19 safe settings to manage workforce impacts.

Other regions:

(Kimberley, Gascoyne, Mid West and Goldfields-Esperance)

These measures are in effect from 6am Monday, 21 February, in addition to existing proof of vaccination, contact registration and restricted access to remote Aboriginal communities.

Masks

• Wear a mask in all indoor public settings

All Level 1 measures will be applied to these regions as community transmission is detected there.

 

Previously, 02 February 2021 A Proof of vaccination frequently asked questions page has been published on the WA government website.

There are several questions/answers that may be relevant to Pilates, gym, dance, indoor fitness, health clubs,  yoga, barre, aerobics, dance or spin facilities.

covid-19-coronavirus-proof-of-vaccination-frequently-asked-questions

 

Mask wearing requirements

Mask wearing requirements are in effect across Perth and Peel (including Rottnest Island), the South West, Wheatbelt and Great Southern regions.

Masks are required in the following settings in Perth and Peel, the South West, Wheatbelt and Great Southern regions:

• at all public indoor settings, including the workplace
• in all vehicles unless the person is travelling alone or with members of the same household
• at residential aged or disability care facilities, both indoors and outdoors
• at a hospital.

Anyone who has been in the Wheatbelt and Great Southern regions since January 20 must also follow the mask requirements for two weeks after leaving these regions.

It is recommended you wear a mask outdoors where physical distancing is not possible.

From Monday 31 January, 2022, proof of COVID-19 vaccination requirements will apply state-wide and be expanded to include new higher-risk venues including:

• a gym, indoor sporting centre, health club, or dance studio (including a centre offering yoga, barre, Pilates, aerobics, dancing, spin facilities or other fitness class), except when community sport is being played
• residential aged care and hospitals (exceptions apply)

Proof of vaccination is already required to enter some venues and events in Perth and Peel.

Employees in these workforces who did not previously fall under the WA Government’s mandatory vaccination policy must have received their first dose by Monday 31 January, 2022 and be double dose vaccinated by Monday 28 February, 2022.

Venues are required to take reasonable steps to ensure all patrons are double dose vaccinated, or have a medical exemption. The WA Government has launched the ServiceWA app – a free, convenient and secure mobile application that will help Western Australians with proof of vaccination requirements.

People can also show proof of vaccination either in a digital or paper-based form, along with acceptable forms of identification if they do not use the ServiceWA app to show proof.

Posters and materials are also available to download to help businesses communicate about proof of vaccination requirements.

 

20 January 2022, Perth, Peel and the South West

Masks are required in the following settings:

• at all public indoor settings
• in all vehicles unless the person is traveling alone or with members of the same household
• at residential aged or disability care facilities, both indoors and outdoors
• at a hospital.

Anyone who has been in Perth and Peel (including Rottnest Island) regions since Thursday 6 January, 2022 must also follow the mask requirements for two weeks after leaving these regions.

Anyone who has only been in the South West since Wednesday 12 January, 2022 must also follow the mask requirements for two weeks after leaving this region.

It is recommended you wear a mask outdoors where physical distancing is not possible.

Restrictions in other regions

No capacity limits outside Perth and Peel regions. Measures remain in place to keep these events safe:

• Businesses require a COVID Safety Plan and must maintain a contact register.

 

Previously, from 6:00pm, Monday 17 January – Mask wearing requirements are in place for the South West.
If you are in the South West you need to wear a mask:

• in all public indoor settings, including in the workplace
• while using public transport, taxi and ride share services
• at hospitals and aged care

Anyone who was in the South West since Wednesday 12 January must also follow the mask requirements of the South West after leaving the region.The mask mandate will not apply to the home, people with disabilities, people doing vigorous indoor exercise, or for children in primary school or younger.

To read more about these measures, visit: https://www.wa.gov.au/…/masks-introduced-the-south-west…

 

Previously, from 6am on Tuesday 2 February 2021, it is mandatory for specified businesses and venues to keep a contact register of visitors, to assist in keeping WA safe from the threat of COVID-19

Gyms, indoor sporting centres and pools must retain a contact register of all visitors, including customers, contractors, staff and volunteers.

The State Government has created a free, secure SafeWA contact register app for businesses and other venues. All businesses providing patrons with a digital contact register option will need to display a SafeWA QR code.

Further information: https://www.smallbusiness.wa.gov.au/blog/mandatory-contact-registers-businesses

Mandatory vaccination

From 12.01am Monday, 12 July – There are no longer any capacity restrictions for venues and events.

Measures remain in place to keep these events safe:

• Businesses require a COVID Safety Plan and must maintain a contact register.

 

Previously, from 12.01am Tuesday, 6 July 2021 until 12.01am Monday, 12 July transitional restrictions are in effect for Perth and Peel.

Fitness venues (gyms, pilates, yoga, dance studios). Indoor and outdoor fitness classes permitted, masks mandatory except when doing vigorous exercise.

 

Previously, from, Saturday 3 July: Interim restrictions will be in place until 12.01am, Tuesday 6 July as part of a safe and sensible transition out of lockdown.

• Indoor fitness classes not yet permitted.
• Fitness venues (gyms, pilates, yoga, dance studios). Indoor fitness classes not permitted.

Masks mandatory

• Indoors
• Outdoors
• Public transport
• Usual exemptions are in place – including removing masks for outdoor vigorous exercise.

 

Previously, from 12:01am, Tuesday 29 June 2021 until 12.01am, Saturday 3 July 2021,  Perth and Peel will enter a minimum 4-day lockdown.

Fitness venues (gyms, Pilates, yoga, dance studios) need to close.

Anyone who has been to one of the potential exposure locations will need to get tested and quarantine as per the instructions they are given.

Exposure locations are being updated regularly so people are encouraged to check the information online at wa.gov.au.

Masks

• Masks are mandatory:
  • indoors
  • outdoor public areas (except for vigorous exercise)
  • and on public transport.

 

Previously, effective 12pm, Sunday 27 June, restrictions will be introduced for Perth and Peel for a minimum 3 days.

People are encouraged to check the locations in WA visited by confirmed cases.

Masks

• Masks mandatory:
  • Indoors
  • Public transport
  • Outdoor public areas where physical distancing is not possible.
  • 2sqm rule and 150 patron limit for fitness venues (gyms, Pilates, yoga, dance studios)

 

Previously, the Perth and Peel lockdown will end as planned from 12.01am, Tuesday 27 April. A post-lockdown transition will be in place until 12.01am, Saturday 1 May.

• Fitness clubs, gyms,indoor recreation (incl. Pilates) remains closed.
• Continue wearing a mask in public, while at work and on public transport unless exemptions apply e.g. vigorous outdoor exercise
• Anyone in an unaffected region who has been in Perth or Peel since 17 April must comply with mask-wearing requirements.

 

Previously, 23 April 2021

Previously, 24 February 2021

• Contact registers are mandatory at most businesses and venues to help with contact tracing.
• The WA Government’s SafeWA app provides an efficient and safe way to record contact details, by allowing people to easily check-in at businesses and venues.
• 2 square metre rule applies
• Wearing a face mask is mandatory in the following settings:
  • in an airport in WA
  • on an aircraft in WA or
  • travelling in a vehicle with a person who is subject to a quarantine direction (this includes personal vehicles, private cars, hired cars, ride-share vehicles or taxis).

 

Previously, 05 February 2021

The five-day lockdown for Perth, Peel and the South West has ended. Restrictions remain for Perth and Peel until 12.01am Sunday, 14 February 2021.

More information is available in the transiting out of lockdown page.

In the Perth metropolitan area and the Peel region:

• masks must be worn at all times when outside of your place of residence. This includes at all workplaces, on public transport and while exercising for the allocated one hour per day, unless exercising vigorously outside. For vigorous exercise that is indoors, such as playing squash or running on a treadmill, a mask must still be be worn. This is due to the higher risks associated with indoor venues.
• A 4sqm rule will apply up to a maximum of 150 patrons (excluding staff) for hospitality, entertainment, public and fitness venues.
• Contact registers are mandatory at most businesses and venues. It is also mandatory for individuals register at these businesses and venues.

Other than what you can and can’t do above, general restrictions still apply as they did before the lockdown.

Restrictions in all other regions

This includes the Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne, Mid-West, Wheatbelt, Goldfields, Great Southern and South West regions.

• 2 square metre rule (except for seated and ticketed performances at seated entertainment spaces within selected venues and places of worship).

 

Previously, effective from 6pm Sunday, 31 January 2021 until 6pm Friday, 5 February 2021, the Perth metropolitan area and the Peel and South West regions will enter a 5-day lockdown, based on health advice.

The following facilities in the Perth, Peel and South West regions need to close:

• Gyms and indoor sporting venues
• Playgrounds, skate parks and outdoor recreational facilities

People will be required to stay at home unless they need to:

• work because they can’t work from home or remotely;
• shop for essentials like groceries, medicine and necessary supplies;
• medical or health care needs including compassionate requirements and looking after the vulnerable; and
• exercise within their neighbourhood, but only with one other person and only for one hour per day.

Masks are to be worn at all times when outside of your place of residence, this includes at workplaces and on public transport. For more information about masks, see the Healthy WA website.

 

Previously, from Saturday, 5 December, Gyms, indoor sporting centres and pools will be required to maintain a mandatory contact register for staff and patrons.

The reintroduction of contact registers is an additional protection measure and will assist with WA Department of Health contact tracing, should it be required.

Designated businesses and venues will be required to collect the date, name, telephone number and arrival time of all patrons, staff, visitors and contractors that attend the premises, other than to collect takeaway.

The contact register records must be kept for 28 days, and not used for any other purpose.

To assist businesses and venues, the WA Government has developed the free, SafeWA app, an online contact register system that uses QR Codes for patrons and staff to scan to register their attendance.

SafeWA can be downloaded from Apple App Store or Google Play from today. This will allow businesses and venues, which choose to use the SafeWA app, time to implement it for Saturday, 5 December 2020.

The app is being provided as a free, easy, contactless solution, however the use of Safe WA is not mandatory.

Alternative formats for mandatory contact registers are available, including other electronic tools or a paper-based system, depending on what is suitable for the business, venue or individual.

Businesses must still maintain a written contact register for people who choose not to use the app.

Failing to comply with the new requirements to maintain a contact register could result in fines and penalties of up to $50,000 for an individual and $250,000 for a body corporate or 12 months’ imprisonment.

For more information see the Maintaining contact registers, a requirement to keep WA safe media statement.

 

Previously, 18 August 2020 – Phase 5 of the WA COVID-19 roadmap pushed further back. The new tentative date for Phase 5 will now be Saturday, 24 October.

A final decision on whether Phase 5 can proceed on this date will be decided in October.

 

27 June 2020, WA begins Phase 4 COVID-19 roadmap

Western Australia’s COVID-19 restrictions have been relaxed even further, as WA’s roadmap is updated to complete the removal of all restrictions.

Due to the world-leading response to COVID in WA, Phase 4 started on Saturday, 27 June (11.59pm Friday, 26 June).

As part of Phase 4, there is no limit on the number of patrons permitted in a venue, however, the 2 square metre rule and physical distancing apply. This means the maximum number of patrons permitted is based on the size of the venue.

Good hygiene practices, physical distancing and frequent cleaning should continue to be observed.

Find out more about WA’s next phase of the COVID-19 roadmap.

 

Phase 3

From 6 June, Phase 3 of the WA roadmap enables sport and recreation facilities to have a maximum of 100 participants per undivided space or 300 participants per venue.

COVID Safety Plans help ensure sport and recreation actively mitigate the risks of COVID-19. The plan should be available for inspection upon request by an authorised officer. If your organisation has multiple premises, you must prepare a COVID Safety Plan for each one.

In the plan, you need to explain how your organisation will implement the requirements and advice set out in the guidelines.

For more information please see our Phase 3 frequently asked questions.

The number of people at non-work gatherings has increased, and additional businesses can reopen:

• gyms, health clubs, and indoor sports centres can offer the normal range of activities, including use of all gym equipment (gyms must be staffed at all times and undertake regular cleaning)
• contact sport and training
• playgrounds, outdoor gym equipment and skate parks are permitted to be used

The 4 square metre rule has been revised to 2 square metres per person for all WA venues.

Physical distancing, good hygiene and the 2 square metre rule apply to all activities permitted in Phase 3.

Steps to reopening sport and recreation facilities

Sport and recreation facilities need to take the following steps to reopen or expand operations in Phase 3.

If your facility’s capacity can increase in Phase 3, this needs to be reflected on a new COVID Safety Plan Certificate.

• Complete a COVID Safety Plan prior to reopening. The COVID Safety Guidelines will help you complete the plan.
• Display a COVID Safety Plan certificate (you’ll find this in the plan).
• Implement the necessary safety requirements.

Safety requirements

• Maintain a strict limit of a minimum of 2 square metres per person.
• Ensure a maximum of 100 people per single undivided space, up to 300 patrons per venue.
• Instructors, trainers, coaches and general venue staff are not included in the 100/300 person count.
• Players, customers, patrons, participants, parents and spectators are included in the count.
• Maintain 1.5 metre separation between people who are not from the same household.
• Maintain hygiene and frequent cleaning.
• Self-complete a COVID Safety Plan prior to reopening/recommencing activity, and display a COVID Safety Plan Certificate at relevant sporting venues.

Previously: Phase 2 effective May 18:

“Fitness & recreation outdoor or indoor fitness classes with minimal shared equipment, up to 20 people.”

“You cannot share gym equipment like mats, benches, weight machines, exercise bikes, rowing machines or Pilate (sic) reformers.”

“As an example, you can share a football, tennis ball, shuttle cocks, sailing ropes or netball but they must be cleaned in between training sessions. Minimal shared equipment during fitness classes or training sessions includes skipping ropes, kettle bells, hand weights etc. They must be cleaned in between classes or training sessions. You cannot use personal equipment like boxing gloves or mats unless you bring your own.”