Skip to main content
Home
  • The Legislative Assembly meets on 16/04/2024 (01:00 PM)
    Assembly sit 16/04/2024
  • The Legislative Council meets on 16/04/2024 (01:00 PM)
    Council sit 16/04/2024
  • The Public Administration meets on 08/04/2024 (10:00 AM)
    Committee meet 08/04/2024

Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 839 asked in the Legislative Council on 20 August 2020 by Hon Simon O’Brien

Parliament: 40 Session: 1

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.