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Covid-19 News Updates


Constraints costing QLD businesses $180m per day, says CCIQ

Constraints costing QLD businesses $180m per day, says CCIQ

New modelling from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) shows constraints arising from the Omicron wave are costing the state’s economy an estimated $180 million a day in lost economic activity.

CCIQ members say their ability to maintain normal operational hours or service delivery, staff availability and supply chain disruptions have been the most significant constraints on their recovery, costing the economy approximately $1.2 billion per week.

CCIQ data shows one in five Queensland businesses have experienced a critical constraint on their ability to maintain normal operational hours or service delivery in the five weeks since state borders reopened, while 85 per cent of businesses surveyed said they had experienced some impact on their ability to trade as usual.

Businesses are reporting major or critical supply chain disruptions, especially in the construction, electricity, gas, water and waste services, wholesale trade, healthcare and social assistance, and retail trade industries.

CCIQ policy and advocacy general manager Amanda Rohan said Queensland businesses needed commitment to and certainty on three areas to enable them to confidently recover.

"CCIQ is calling for Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) to be freely and widely available for businesses, the list of essential industries expanded and financial support for businesses forced to close directly due to public health directions,” Rohan said.

She said businesses had their first real opportunity to reopen after close to two years of uncertainty, but they needed support and clarity to stay open.

“Businesses need access to freely and widely available RATs to help them and their staff get back to work quicker, plan for workforce shortages, and ongoing recovery,” Rohan said.

“It’s equally important the list of essential industries continues to be consistently reviewed to enable businesses to self-assess their risk profile and to ensure employees are able to get back to work as soon as safe and practicable.

"We know staff shortages are impacting small businesses and there is a call for those most impacted businesses to be financially supported."

The CCIQ leader has called for a target support package with joint federal and state support.

"Today Brisbane City Council committed to a package to support local businesses which is welcome news to those most impacted in Brisbane," she said.

"There is still a need for a directly-targeted joint state and federal package to support businesses across the state. We have heard from impacted businesses they are seeking a package that can include payroll tax relief and fee waivers, deferrals and refunds."

Updated at 4:22pm AEST on 19 January 2022.

More businesses now eligible for SA support package

More businesses now eligible for SA support package

The South Australian Government has announced the eligibility criteria for its Tourism, Hospitality and Gym Grant will be extended to include newer businesses that began operating after December 2020.

Under the revised criteria, a business may be eligible if its national payroll is less than $10 million and it operates in tourism, hospitality, gyms or another sector required to operate under the one person per seven square metre density restriction.

Through the grant, applicants may receive:

  • $3,000 (for employing businesses) or $1,000 (for non-employing businesses);
  • Additional $1,000 for CBD businesses;
  • Additional $7,000 for tourism, hospitality and other eligible businesses with turnover above $2 million;
  • Additional top-up equivalent to automatic payment for businesses that did not receive the automatic payment.

The grant is automatically paid to businesses that have received a COVID-19 Tourism and Hospitality Support Grant or gym operators that received an additional COVID-19 Business Support Grant.

Other support available includes South Australia’s Business Hardship Grant, which allows employing businesses to receive $6,000 and non-employing businesses $2,000 if turnover has declined by 50 or more as a result of health trading restrictions put in place last month.

To apply for available grants, click here.

Updated at 2:34pm AEDT on 19 January 2022.

QLD to open international borders on Saturday

QLD to open international borders on Saturday

After finally lifting border restrictions on interstate travellers last Saturday, in three days' time the Queensland Government will start welcoming international arrivals without quarantine requirements for the fully vaccinated.

The announcement comes after the state's double-dose vaccination rate hit 88.82 per cent as of 17 January.

"We have decided to set a firm date for vaccinated people - international travellers - coming into Queensland, and we have set that date as 1am this Saturday," Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told a press conference this morning.

She said the announcement would give certainty to airlines and incoming travellers.

"We're asking you to do a RAT test within 24 hours. This is consistent with other states," she said.

"If National Cabinet decides to change that down the track, so be it, but we do believe that now is the right time with our vaccination rates so high."

Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) welcomed the news, with its CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff describing this as an "incredibly exciting day" for everyone at Brisbane Airport, the airlines and everyone associated with international aviation and visitation.  

"It takes us one step closer to re-uniting with the world," de Graaf said.

"Our team at Brisbane Airport is more than ready for Saturday morning. They have kept the lights on throughout the pandemic and have done a phenomenal job in adapting to the ever-changing requirements over the past two years.

"Rebuilding international travel into and out of Brisbane Airport will take many months, as we will need destinations for Australians and inbound market nations to reopen. We are not expecting to return to 2019 route and passenger levels until 2024."

He said the airport team hoped to see some uptick in some passenger sectors coming into Queensland, especially with the return of international students for the commencement of the university term. 

"The state’s agricultural harvest is also under way and needing workers," he added.

"Most importantly, there will be many families who will be greatly relieved that they can now reunite in Queensland as and when they need. We think the visiting friends and family sector will be the first to jump at this chance and hop on a plane to Queensland."

BAC added some airlines have maintained their BNE services throughout the pandemic and continued to carry repatriating Aussies, highlighting that Singapore Airlines and Emirates have been steadfast in maintaining a lifeline home to the world, while Air New Zealand, Air Niugini and the Taiwanese airlines have also continued to operate at BNE uplifting passengers and Queensland exports.

In addition, the corporation noted Qatar Airways started Brisbane flights during the pandemic which have proven to be a reliable pathway for passengers and Queensland produce exports to markets across the globe.

The majority of other airlines are wanting to return to BNE but will need to see market conditions that make sense for their business to make a restart decision.

"Although Queensland remains a world-famous destination and Brisbane remains a strong market for airlines to serve, airline businesses have suffered greatly from the pandemic, which means the competition amongst destinations for very scarce airline resources will be intense," de Graaff said.

"We look forward to working cooperatively with airlines, the Government and the entire travel industry, to recreate and support demand for Queensland and see visitor numbers rebuild."

These expectations would likely not have been possible if it weren't for the state's vaccination, but the Premier continued to warn against vaccine hesitancy - particularly on the Gold Coast.

The tourism hotspot is lagging behind other parts of the state such as Brisbane which is 93-95 per cent double-dose vaccinated depending on the area, and places like Central Queensland (91.1 per cent), Wide Bay (95 per cent plus) and Townsville (91.7 per cent).

"I know I keep talking about the Gold Coast but I am concerned. The Gold Coast is still sitting at 90.5 per cent," the Premier said.

"If you look at the scheme of things in terms of where people are going to be traveling, can I please give an added push for the Gold Coast region? Please come and get vaccinated. If you are due your booster, come and get your booster."

There were 19,932 new cases reported overnight for the state and tragically 11 deaths from the virus, including a person in their 30s who was not vaccinated.

Updated at 11:19am AEST on 19 January 2021.

NSW, VIC, SA and ACT reduce booster eligibility to three months

NSW, VIC, SA and ACT reduce booster eligibility to three months

Update (1:49pm AEDT): South Australian Premier Steven Marshall has followed suit and also shortened the minimum timeframe for booster shot eligibility from four to three months, effective immediately.

Update (10:53am AEDT): The Australian Capital Territory has followed NSW, VIC and SA in bringing the poster interval forward to three months, effective from 20 January 2022.

The states of New South Wales and Victoria have announced COVID-19 booster eligibility will be brought forward from four months to three, allowing more than 4.7 million Australians to book a jab from today. 

The news comes after both states recorded a combined total of 50 deaths – with NSW reporting 32 deaths and Victoria reporting 18. 

NSW also recorded 32,297 positive test results from 8pm last night. Of those, 12,450 came from rapid-antigen tests and 19,847 were positive PCR tests. 

“In our 40 vaccination hubs across New South Wales, we are bringing forward the eligibility for a booster shot up from four months to three months,” NSW Premier Perrottet said.

“I understand from the federal government that the eligibility from four months to three months in GPs and pharmacists will be available from 31 January.

“We currently have capacity for around 250,000 vaccinations every week.” 

Hours at major Victorian vaccination hubs such as Sandown, Bendigo and La Trobe University have all been extended specifically for what Premier Dan Andrews describes as a “booster blitz”, which will run from this Friday to next Monday. 

“This is a big push. Thousands of appointments are available, walk-in capacity has been expanded, opening hours have been extended, and more vaccinators will be on the floor,” the Victorian Premier said.

“If you got your second dose in October or earlier, now’s the time to come along to one of our major state-run centres this weekend and get your third, to protect yourself and the community for the busy year ahead.”

The rest of Victoria’s large state-run network will also be operating, and all sites except Dandenong Plaza and Ballarat Mercure will offer both Pfizer and Moderna doses

In NSW, there are currently 2,853 COVID-19 cases in hospital, including 217 people in ICU and 66 who require ventilation. 

“We've seen very clearly through the numbers in ICU, that vaccination is key in terms of reducing symptoms and keeping people safe,” said Perrottet. 

“I encourage everybody through what's been a difficult period of time to continue to make that effort, to make that booking.”

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant is also urging people to come forward to get their booster. 

“It's incredibly important that people come forward with their booster doses,” she said.

“I can’t stress enough the urgency.

“I also urge people that have got children going back to schools to think about you and your extended family - ensuring that you're boosted ahead of the school year and also that any elderly relatives are assisted in getting their booster.”

South Australians are also now eligible to receive a booster shot three months after receiving their second COVID-19 vaccine. 

The state has recorded three deaths and 3,482 positive COVID tests in the past 24 hours. 

"People who had their second dose three months ago are now eligible for their booster," said SA Premier Steven Marshall.

"This will create increased demand of around 225,000 shots in South Australia,”

“We have plenty of supply. You can get an appointment today right across the state.”

Meanwhile, Australian Capital Territory Health Minister Chris Steel has brought forward the jurisdiction's booster interval to three months too, allowing more Canberrans to get their third shot sooner.

The change was initially slated to come into effect from the end of January, but was brought forward to 20 January 2022 due to ample supply of vaccines.

"Through our two ACT government vaccination clinics, we have capacity to up to 32,500 vaccinations a week so there is plenty of opportunity for everyone eligible to come and receive their booster,” he says.

“Reducing the interval to three months will mean an extra 183,000 Canberrans are now eligible to receive their booster.”

Updated at 10:55am AEDT on 19 January 2022.

PM offers visa rebates to backpackers, international students in attempt to plug worker shortages

PM offers visa rebates to backpackers, international students in attempt to plug worker shortages

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has today emphasised there is no "shadow workforce" on hand to fill Australia's labour shortages due to the absenteeism wrought by COVID infections and isolation, but the next best thing appears to be international students and backpackers.

The PM has announced visa rebates for both these cohorts over the next two to four months, combined with a marketing program to entice travellers to come to Australia on working holidays.

"There are some 23,500 backpackers who have visas to come to Australia right now, and my message to them is come on down," he said.

"Enjoy a holiday here in Australia, move all the way around the country and at the same time join our workforce and help us in our agricultural sector and our hospitality sector and so many of the other parts of the economy that rely on that labour.

"We'll be supporting that with $3 million that we'll be giving to Tourism Australia to support a marketing program to target backpackers and students to get them out."


Related stories: Global Work & Travel CEO says visa rebate deadline "not enough time"

As international students return, let’s not return to the status quo of isolation and exploitation


Backpackers who arrive in Australia within the next 12 weeks will get their visa application fee rebated by the Department of Home Affairs, while the rebate will apply to international students for the coming eight weeks - a fee of around $630, according to the Prime Minister.

"There are around 150,000 students who have visas who we are encouraging to come back to be there for the start of their university or college year, and that is a thank you to them for coming back and continuing to choose Australia," the PM said.

"But we also want them to come here and be able to be filling some of these critical workforce shortages, particularly those who are working and being trained in health care, aged care, those types of sectors."

The Prime Minister also highlighted that to date Australia has had one of the lowest death rates in the world from the Omicron variant of COVID, along with one of the world's highest vaccination rates generally and among the fastest take-up rates for vaccines for children aged five to 11.

"As we face Omicron we must respect it, but we should not fear it. We must respect it with sensible balanced rules, sensible precautions, but at the same time not shutting Australia away; not locking ourselves up, not destroying people's livelihoods and bringing our society to a halt.

"That is not the future. That is the past.

"And one of the key reasons we can say that is because of the extraordinary work Australians have done and going out and getting vaccinated."

Updated at 10:38am AEDT on 19 January 2022.

 

ACTU claims free test request "reasonable", but employer body deems strike threats inappropriate

ACTU claims free test request "reasonable", but employer body deems strike threats inappropriate

With workplaces nationally fighting fires across multiple fronts as COVID-19 infections destabilise the economy, the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) is butting heads with employer representative bodies as workers threaten to walk off the job if conditions do not improve.

With the ACTU yesterday announcing workers might strike if demands for new COVID safe plans and free rapid antigen tests (RATs) are not met, the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) claims the threats “divert from common sense”.

“The only thing that is real and practical in the latest union demands related to living and working with COVID is that there should be far greater availability of Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs),” Ai Group chief executive Innes Willox said.

“The ACTU’s demands divert from common sense. The idea that employers should bear the costs for potentially limitless test kits is unworkable and demonstrates the lack of understanding of the pressures businesses are under.

“Many businesses are struggling to survive and to preserve the jobs of their employees.”

The ACTU said yesterday, following a meeting of leaders from national unions, that industrial action would be appropriate should employers not do “all that is reasonable and practical to keep workers safe”.

This would include each workplace undertaking new risk assessments for Omicron in consultation with unions, and the provision of free RATs by employers to all workers once supply is resolved, alongside upgraded masks and improved ventilation.

“Where employers do not fulfil their obligations, the union movement determines to do everything within its power to ensure the safety of workers and the community,” the ACTU said.

“This may include ceasing work or banning unsafe practices.”


RELATED: OzSAGE: Major COVID course correction immediately required


Speaking to Business News Australia, ACTU President Michele O’Neil said concerns from bodies like Ai Group should go unfounded, noting any “reasonable employer” would come to the table to sort out the situation with workers.

“No reasonable employer would be concerned about what we’re proposing, because we’re proposing to work with reasonable employers to make sure everything possible is done to keep workers safe,” O’Neil said.

“The only people who should be concerned are those who don’t take their obligations seriously.”

In particular, O’Neil said the ACTU’s demands are pointed squarely at employers taking advantage of workers, particularly casual and insecure workers, who are being told to come into work when they’re COVID positive or when they’re sick.

“This is completely unacceptable. It’s unacceptable at any time but it’s particularly dangerous in a pandemic,” she said.

By example, O’Neil highlighted the Teys Australia situation in South Australia where she alleged the meatworks business was asking COVID-positive, symptomatic workers to work while ill.

Though the ACTU today claimed victory in that fight, with Teys announcing it would only ask workers that tested positive to work following seven days of isolation and if they were asymptomatic, O’Neil said there were plenty of other examples of alleged worker exploitation happening around the country, putting people’s health and safety at risk.

“We need to have healthy workers. That ultimately will mean we have a healthy economy,” O’Neil said.

“You can’t have one without another.”

On the topic of RATs, O’Neil acknowledged much of the blame for lack of supply can be laid at the Federal Government’s feet, but she said they have “chosen to ignore our requests for urgent action”.


RELATED: Staff shortages mean "code red for retail" as hospitality operators plead for government support


Similarly, in response to the ACTU’s threats of a general strike, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Andrew McKellar said National Cabinet needed to step up and provide free and accessible rapid antigen testing for small businesses.

“We have been calling since September last year for National Cabinet to make rapid antigen testing freely and widely available, particularly for small businesses,” McKellar said.

“When many businesses are struggling to keep their doors open due to severe staff shortages, supply chain constraints and a sharp drop in consumer activity, now is not the appropriate time to saddle them with complex testing regulation and extra cost. Many businesses, particularly small and family businesses, do not have the funds, capacity or expert skills to implement a functional rapid testing regime.

“It’s not too late for National Cabinet to change its mind and provide free and accessible rapid antigen testing for small businesses across all states so that they can detect cases earlier, limit the spread, and keep their workplaces open.”

O’Neil added that the ACTU’s demands are simply about ensuring Australian workplaces are safe.

“When employers don’t meet their obligations, and these are legal obligations to keep workers safe, then we’ll take action,” she said.

“Workers have a legal right to cease work if it’s unsafe. Now, that’s always the last thing people want to do, and we would hope that reasonable employers will work with their workforce and unions to make sure people are safe.”

Victoria declares Pandemic Code Brown at hospitals to stay ahead of climb in COVID patient numbers

Victoria declares Pandemic Code Brown at hospitals to stay ahead of climb in COVID patient numbers

The Victorian Government will put emergency measures in place across all public metropolitan and major regional hospitals from midday tomorrow, in a bid to stay on top of pressing demands on the health system as COVID case numbers rise.

Like many around the world, Victoria’s health system is juggling workforce shortages because of staff in isolation, a vast number of coronavirus patients requiring hospitalisation, and ongoing treatment for patients with urgent and emergency needs. 

In response, the government has announced a 'Pandemic Code Brown' - a measure normally used in emergency events such as bushfires - to reconfigure services to free up more staff, including the delivery of outpatient services outside the hospital, and the rapid offload of ambulance patients at emergency departments to get paramedics back on the road as soon as possible. 

Hospitals may also choose to redeploy staff to work in areas of highest clinical priority, and in some cases might mean health worker consultation about leave arrangements.

The state currently has 1,152 COVID patients hospitalised with the virus, but Acting Minister for Health James Merlino explained hospitalisation numbers tended to lag behind daily case rates and would likely peak over the next two to four weeks.

"COVID hospitalisations are already at record levels, and as we’ve seen in New South Wales, that’s likely to increase by around 100 people per day," Merlino said on what has been the deadliest day of the pandemic to date for Australia with 74 deaths from the virus from NSW, VIC and QLD alone.

"If we see what we've been seeing in New South Wales of 100 a day, we could well get to 2,500 hospitalisations and more over the next few weeks, so now is the right time to implement this plan; now is the right time to act.

"Hospitalisations lag a few weeks behind the peak of the numbers, and then ICU follows on from that."

Against this backdrop, Merlino has also called on more Victorians to get vaccinations or booster shots to help reduce the strain on the system.

"Having said all of that, the more people who get their third dose, the more children who are vaccinated, the lower the number in our hospital system will be," Merlino says.

In addition to hospitals in Metropolitan Melbourne, the Code Brown will be implemented at Barwon Health, Grampians Health, Bendigo Health, Goulburn Valley Health, Albury Wodonga Health and Latrobe Regional Hospital.

The Department of Health will also establish a new Health Service Response Centre which will help hospitals coordinate patient flow, distribute activity and support decisions around service reconfiguration – such as suspending some activity or moving to home-based care.

The Pandemic Code Brown is expected to last four to six weeks and health officials will monitor the situation to determine when it’s safe to begin winding down arrangements.

"Our hardworking health workers on the front-line are caring for record numbers of coronavirus patients every day – this is the best way to ensure our hospitals can continue to safely care for those that need it most," Merlino says.

"Our health services will have to make some hard decisions over the next few weeks to manage increasing demand and I thank every single one of them for making the tough calls necessary to help as many Victorians as they can.

"This coordinated approach will help ease the pressure on individual hospitals by better sharing the load across our system through prioritising resources, redistributing patient demand across the system and managing workforce shortages."

Updated at 1:28pm AEDT on 18 January 2022.

Bod to launch UK clinical trial into medicinal cannabis efficacy on long COVID

Bod to launch UK clinical trial into medicinal cannabis efficacy on long COVID

With an estimated 1.3 million people in the United Kingdom suffering from extended effects following an initial infection of COVID-19, Australian medicinal cannabis company Bod Australia (ASX: BOD) is looking to conduct a clinical trial into the efficacy of its products on long COVID.

The company today announced it received Clinical Trail Authorisation by the UK’s Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, allowing it to commence a clinical trial into the effectiveness of its MediCabilis 5% CBD product on long-COVID.

This follows final protocol design and ethics approval, allowing for immediate commencement of Bod’s participant recruitment process.

The study will see 30 trial participants recruited that are suffering from long COVID - a condition without a leading treatment where symptoms of an initial COVID-19 infection continue for more than eight weeks.

Participants in the trial will be administered daily doses of Bod’s medicinal cannabis product MediCabilis 5% over a six month period, allowing Bod to capture efficacy data and provides a pathway towards the commercialisation of a potential treatment product which would be sold throughout the UK and other countries.

“There are a wide range of long COVID indications, including shortness of breath, fatigue, worsening chest discomfort, loss of concentration, chronic pain, anxiety and insomnia,” says BOD.

“Many of these symptoms may be amenable to treatment with cannabis-based medicinal products, highlighting a significant opportunity for Bod.”

The medicinal cannabis company says success in the initiative would unlock a large market opportunity, with the UK Office of National Statistics estimating 1.3 million people in the UK are currently suffering from the condition, and that approximately one in every 40 people with COVID-19 have symptoms lasting at least three months.

Bod CEO Jo Patterson said she was confident that MediCabilis may provide a solution to the condition, given it is already being used to alleviate a number of conditions which are common in people suffering long-COVID.

“While there aren’t any existing treatments for long-COVID, our medicinal cannabis products have been used to treat and alleviate a number of similar conditions,” Patterson said.

“We anticipate that this clinical trial will provide us with great insight into its potential to treat long-COVID and build on the body of evidence for the use of cannabis-based medicines, in place of other pharmaceuticals.

“We will utilise the data generated to gain a better understanding of whether MediCabilis can be used as a potential treatment and how we can expedite further product commercialisation, which will underpin ongoing sales growth.”

Shares in BOD are up 6.82 per cent to $0.24 per share at 12.09pm AEDT. The company came in 17th in last year's list of Australia's top 20 listed cannabis companies published in July, although its share price is down 27 per cent since then. 

NSW announces $43 million lifeline for cancelled major events and festivals

NSW announces $43 million lifeline for cancelled major events and festivals

The New South Wales government has today established a $43 million fund to support organisers of major events and festivals that have been cancelled or disrupted by COVID-19 public health orders.

The funding will ensure that organisers that have to cancel, postpone or vary their events because of new public health orders will receive financial support to pay suppliers, staff and recover other costs.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the ‘Event Saver Fund’ is a lifeline for major event organisers, providing them with the financial security and certainty to plan and deliver future events in the state.

“Major events are a key economic driver that create thousands of jobs across the state,” Premier Perrottet said.

“The Event Saver Fund will ensure that organisers aren’t left high and dry as we work through this latest phase of the pandemic and sends a strong signal that the Government is here to support business.”

Expressions of interest are now open for the Event Saver program for organisers of major events scheduled to be held between 15 December 2021 to the end of 2022, and will close on 30 September 2022.

NSW Treasurer Matt Kean said the funding was recognition of the important impact major events have on driving tourism as well as on the broader NSW economy.

“Festivals and major events are huge drawcards and they have been significantly disrupted by the latest Omicron wave of COVID-19,” Kean said.

“It is vital we provide them the support they need when their event is impacted by a Public Health Order. That is exactly what this funding commitment does.”

For more information and to apply for funding, please visit www.create.nsw.gov.au.

Updated at 11.46am AEDT on 17 January 2022.

WA reinstates mask mandate after reporting two new local cases of COVID-19

WA reinstates mask mandate after reporting two new local cases of COVID-19

As Western Australia prepares to reopen its borders on 5 February, mask mandates have been reimposed in Perth and Peel to reduce the spread of COVID-19 after the state reported two new local cases.

Western Australians are now required to wear a mask in all public indoor venues, on public transport (including taxis and ride share vehicles) and when visiting hospitals, disability and aged care facilities.

The state government also recommends people wear masks outdoors when physical distancing is not possible, and children of primary school age or younger and people with medical conditions are exempt to the mandate.

“We now know that there has been several cases of Omicron in the community infectious since 6 January,” said WA Premier Mike McGowan.

“I’m urging everyone in Perth and Peel to check for the latest exposure sites.”

Anyone who attended the following locations is required to immediately get tested for COVID-19 and to self-quarantine for 14 days from their last exposure:

  • U Natural Spa Therapy (Applecross): between 7 to 13 January
  • New U Massage (Mount Lawley): between 10:00am and 8:30pm on 10 January

From Monday 31 January, proof of vaccination for people aged 16 years and over will be required state-wide for:

  • Visitors to public and private hospitals, and residential aged care facilities;
  • All hospitality and food and licensed venues:
    • including restaurants, dine-in fast food, cafes, bars, pubs, clubs, taverns;
    • excluding food and non-alcoholic beverage takeaway, roadhouses, and service stations
  • Bottle shops;
  • Indoor entertainment venues, including play centres, gaming and gambling, theatres, concert halls, museums, cinemas and live music venues, including the Perth Convention Centre;
  • Nightclubs;
  • The Crown Perth complex;
  • Major stadiums;
  • Gyms, fitness studios and centres;
  • Amusement Parks and the Zoo; and
  • Music festivals and large events with more than 500 people, unless exempt.

“We now have Omicron in our community and we cannot afford to be complacent,” WA Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said.

“As we attempt to limit the spread of Omicron in our community it is crucial that those who need to get tested do so immediately.

“We have fought off this virus in Western Australia so far, but we know that Omicron is the real game-changer.”

There are no capacity restrictions for venues and events.

There are currently 112 confirmed active cases in WA. Of these, 34 are in hotel quarantine and 78 are in self-quarantine.

Updated at 10.15am AEDT on 17 January 2022.

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