Covid-19 Resources and Updates
Phase 5 of the WA COVID-19 roadmap pushed back
August 15th 2020
Based on the latest health advice, Phase 5 of the WA COVID-19 roadmap, due to be implemented on Saturday, 18 July, has been pushed back.
The new tentative date will now be Saturday, 15th August.
A final decision on whether Phase 5 can proceed on this date will be decided in about 2 weeks’ time.
Phase 5 of easing restrictions is expected to take effect on Saturday 15th August, pending expert health advice.
Phase 5 will include removing ALL State restrictions except for the hard border with the eastern states and travel restrictions for remote Aboriginal communities.
That will include the removal of the 2sqm rule and the 50% capacity rule for our major venues.
Phase 6 will then remove those remaining State restrictions, with only Federal restrictions, such as the ban on international travel, remaining in place at that point.
An indicative date for Phase 6 will be set in the future, when it’s safe to do so. That date will take into account locally acquired infection rates in the eastern states.
To be clear - the WA hard border will only be removed when the WA Chief Health Officer is confident the spread of infection is controlled in the eastern states.
Phase 4 is another giant step for WA – we’re confident it’s the right step, at the right time.
However, Western Australians must continue to keep up physical distancing where possible and good personal hygiene to better protect themselves and the general health of our community.
We need to remain vigilant. We must take nothing for granted.
We need to all understand that if you are unwell, don’t try be a hero and still go to work. It’s simply not worth it.
Because if we have an uncontrolled outbreak, we will have to place restrictions back on.
And I cannot be clearer on this – I don’t want to even contemplate that scenario.
Travel restrictions – remote Aboriginal communities
Restrictions on travel to remote Aboriginal communities – frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about travel to remote Aboriginal communities.
Last updated: 5 August 2020 at 4.40pm
Restrictions on entry to remote Aboriginal communities remain in place to protect the health and wellbeing of residents.
On this page you will find frequently asked questions on:
- Entry rules for remote Aboriginal communities
- Who can go into remote Aboriginal communities
- Requesting to have a community excluded from the entry rules.
COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a new virus that has not been previously identified in humans.
The virus causes respiratory illness (like the flu) with symptoms such as a cough, fever and in more severe cases, pneumonia. You can protect yourself by washing your hands frequently and avoiding touching your face.
The first case reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO) was on 31 December 2019. It has since spread across the world, with WHO declaring the disease a pandemic on 11 March 2020.
It is very important that the community access resources from trusted sources only. Below is a list of trusted resources specifically related to Coronavirus (COVID-19):
WA State Government Hotline 13 COVID (13 26 843)
Coronavirus Health Information Line 1800 020 080
Health Direct 1800 022 222
COVID Test Result Hotline 1800 313 223
Smart Traveller website www.smarttraveller.gov.au
WA Government Department Health website www.healthywa.wa.gov.au
Australian Government Department Health website www.health.gov.au
Corona Virus Resources for Remote Communities.
If you require a translating or interpreting services please call 131 450.
There are a number of Coronavirus resources available for the indigenous and remote communities. Here are a few reliable sources:
- The Aboriginal Health Council of WA
- The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (NACCHO)
- Department of Communities
- WA Department of Health
Free services to assist communities during Covid-19
Over 169 payphones across remote communities in Western Australia are available to use free of charge. This will help you stay connected to friends, family and health care services.
WA's Response
Western Australia is working closely with the Commonwealth, State and Territory jurisdictional governments to respond to the outbreak of a novel Coronavirus that has recently been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation.
Click here to access the Western Australian Government Pandemic Plan