The WA Government has declared a Public Health Emergency and a State of Emergency for Western Australia as part of a suite of measures to respond to COVID-19 coronavirus.
State of Emergency and Public Health Directions
State of Emergency measures
The State of Emergency declaration provides the WA Government, the WA Police Force and the Chief Health Officer with the powers and flexibility they need to enforce quarantine and self-isolation measures, as was agreed at the National Cabinet meeting between the Prime Minister, State Premiers and Chief Ministers.
These measures include:
- On 19 March, 2020, the Prime Minister announced that Australia’s borders closed to everyone except for Australian residents, citizens and their family members. It came into effect at 6.00PM or 1800 AWST on Friday 20 March, 2020.
- The Australian Government announced level-four travel advice for Australia: Do not travel. For further detail and advice on travel see the latest from Smartraveller.
- Anyone arriving into Western Australia from overseas needs to self-isolate for 14 days.
- International cruise ships will also be banned from docking in Australia for at least 30 days.
- Non-essential indoor gatherings of more than 100 people have been banned by the Australian Government.
- The medical advice preventing non-essential, organised gatherings of 500 or more people from going ahead will be enforced. This is for static indoor and outdoor events.
For more information see COVID-19 Community Advice and Business and Industry Advice.
These measures do not include impacts to schools, universities, public transport or airports.
Enforcement
Keeping our community safe is a shared responsibility. These are precautionary, preventative steps, made in the best interests of our community.
The Public Health Act and Emergency Management Act are being used to enforce these new rules.
Penalties of up to $50,000 will apply.
Western Australian Government response
We understand there is considerable public concern. We are taking the situation very seriously and implementing measures to protect the community and minimise potential impacts of COVID-19. Western Australians should be reassured we have the ability and capability to respond and recover from a pandemic situation.
COVID-19 coronavirus: Western Australian Government response
WA Pandemic Plan
Find out about arrangements for protecting the community and minimising potential impacts of the coronavirus, and recovery afterwards in the Western Australian Government Pandemic Plan.
