CORONAVIRUS — GOVERNMENT RESPONSE
839. Hon SIMON O'BRIEN to the Leader of the House
representing the Premier:
I refer to my question without
notice 794 of Tuesday, 18 August relating to the strategy for dealing with any
COVID-19 outbreaks that might occur.
(1) What are the main elements of
the solid contact tracing regime referred to in Tuesday's answer?
(2) What requirements were put in place since March for
the proprietors of restaurants, bars and other places where groups may
gather to record contact details of customers and other visitors for possible
tracing purposes?
(3) Are the requirements mentioned
in (2) still in force?
Hon SUE
ELLERY replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question, and for his serious interest in this very important
matter.
(1) Western Australia's
contact tracing regime is made up of public health physicians, doctors, nurses,
epidemiologists and support staff whose role is liaising with COVID-19-positive
patients and identifying close contacts at risk of contracting the virus. Their
efforts have been invaluable and are critical in curbing the virus in WA and
because of our enviable position, WA has been able to throw support behind
Victoria by providing it with remote assistance in contact tracing
capabilities.
(2) Businesses
are required to comply with conditions outlined in the COVID safety guidelines
and prepare a COVID safety plan as part of their reopening.
(3) WA is at phase 4 of its WA road map, which means
all existing gathering limits and the 100 or 300 rule are removed; gathering limits are now only determined
by WA's reduced two-square-metre rule; the two-square-metre rule
will only include staff at venues that hold more than 500 patrons; removal of
seated service requirements at food businesses and licensed premises; no
requirement to maintain patron register at food businesses and licensed
premises; alcohol can be served as part of unseated service arrangements; all
events permitted except for music festivals; unseated performances permitted at
venues such as concert halls, live music venues, bars, pubs and nightclubs;
gyms operating unstaffed, but regular cleaning must be maintained; and the casino gaming floor reopening under agreed
temporary restrictions. For WA's major sport and entertainment
venues, a 50 per cent capacity rule will apply. 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.
WA businesses are expected to ensure that their COVID safety plans are updated
and continue to be implemented.