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Proof of vaccination requirements will apply to venues and events state-wide in Western Australia from Monday, 31 January as part of an expansion of the mandate which will also apply to more higher-risk venues.
Since 4 January, proof of vaccination has been required for a number of higher risk venues and events in Perth and Peel, as part of a transition from a cluster of cases traced back to a backpacker.
The expansion of the mandate means the following venues and events will require patrons aged 16 and older to have received at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine:
- visitors to public and private hospitals, and aged care facilities;
- all hospitality venues including restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs, clubs, taverns, night clubs and dine-in fast food (roadhouses, service stations and takeaway is exempt);
- indoor entertainment venues, including play centres, gaming and gambling, theatres, concert halls, museums, cinemas and live music venues;
- bottle shops;
- the entire Crown Perth complex;
- major stadiums;
- gyms, fitness centres and health studios;
- amusement parks and the Zoo; and
- music festivals and large events with more than 500 people, unless exempt.
Community sport and school-based events, unless at one of the specific venues listed, are exempt from the proof of vaccination requirement.
"The expanded policy will take effect from January 31 when vaccination mandates for the Group 2 workforce will also take effect,” WA Premier Mark McGowan said.
"This means the vast majority of Western Australians will be double dose vaccinated and we are providing businesses and venues more than two weeks to implement the changes.
"I thank businesses and the community for their efforts in Perth and Peel to make the policy to date a success. We now need to replicate that success across the State.”
The changes come ahead of a planned reopening of WA’s hard interstate and international borders, expected to come into effect from 5 February.
From that date, interstate travellers will be permitted to enter WA as long as they have received at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
For those looking to spend more than six days in WA, a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure will be required, and a PCR test must again be taken at within 48 hours of arrival.
For trips of five days in duration or less, travellers just need to show proof of a negative PCR test within 72 hours of departure.
Updated at 9.37am AEDT on 14 January 2021.
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