Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan says the state is about to embark on its most challenging phase of the pandemic,with case numbers expected to rise as the number of international arrivals double,and the definition of a close contact changes.
The state recorded 26 new cases today,doubling the number of cases in a week,with Mr McGowan saying Omicron is spreading in WA.
Mr McGowan told a press conference a short time ago the cap on international arrivals will increase from 265 to 530 per week.
International travellers will be permitted to self-quarantine at suitable premises,Mr McGowan said,and be required to take a PCR or a rapid test on day one and return a negative test on day seven.
The Premier also announced a new definition for a close contact,bringing the state into line with other parts of Australia such as New South Wales and Victoria.
From tomorrow,a close contact in WA is a household member or an intimate partner of a person with COVID-19,or someone who has had a “close personal interaction with a case”. This includes 15 minutes of face-to-face contact with a positive case where a mask was not worn by either,or two hours in a small room with a case where masks were removed.
There will no longer be rules for casual contacts,but Mr McGowan urged those who have visited an exposure site to monitor for symptoms.
The period of isolation has been reduced to seven days.
Mr McGowan said the state’s PCR testing capacity is 35,000 tests a day,and rapid tests will be delivered to public testing facilities.
People who test positive on a rapid test must register their result with WA Health.
“There will be more and more cases in the community and isolating at home whilst they wait for symptoms to pass,” Mr McGowan said.
“Opening ourselves up to more risk does mean the virus will spread faster. Given our low case numbers for so long,it may shock some people.
“West Australians should take high caseloads seriously. (It is) not a cause for panic. Not at all. We’re prepared for this. Keep up your activities,keep going to work,support your local business. Be sensible and be safe.
“If we do the right thing by each other,we can save lives. We can minimise disruption. (I’m) determined not to make the mistakes that other states and countries have made. I’m resolute that we will stay the course.”