From January 31, 2022 all Western Australians over the age of 16 will need to show proof of their double COVID-19 vaccination status before gaining entry to a wide range of venues and facilities.
WA Premier Mark McGowan and Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson made the announcement on Thursday to expand an existing policy requiring vaccination proof to enter licensed venues, gyms, major events and health facilities in Perth to include the entire State.
Double dose proof of vaccination for those aged 16 and older will be required for:
- 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.
People will be required to show proof of their COVID-19 vaccination, either in a digital or paper-based form, along with approved identification if not using the ServiceWA app, launched this week to offer a 'one stop shop' location for storage of vaccine certificates, SafeWA check-ins, G2G passes and more.
The announcement came as two new local infections emerged on Thursday, one linked to the Hyatt hotel cluster and the other a household contact of a previous case.
"The interim proof of vaccination policy, brought in earlier this month to help us transition out of the backpacker outbreak safely, has been a success," Mr McGowan said.
"Based on the latest health advice, we will be expanding the proof of vaccination requirement to venues throughout WA and adding further higher risk venues to the policy.
"The expanded policy will take effect from January 31 when vaccination mandates for the Group 2 workforce will also take effect.
Mr McGowan said the policy gave businesses more than two weeks to prepare.
"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," he said.
"We know that those in hospitals around the country are mainly unvaccinated people, so I urge you if you aren't vaccinated - do it now.
"If you don't get vaccinated, the message is clear - we will not let you put others at risk."
WA Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the threat of the Omicron variant was a "game changer".
"As we head towards our safe transition it is essential that we implement the necessary public health and social measures to protect ourselves," she said.
"Proof of vaccination is one of these important measures and I know businesses and communities across the State will embrace these new measures, just as those in the Perth and Peel regions have done these past few weeks.
"The new ServiceWA app, which integrates vaccination certificates with the check-in function of SafeWA, will make these processes easier going forward.
"I'd encourage all Western Australians to take the time to register with ServiceWA and get vaccinated, if you haven't already."
ServiceWA can be downloaded to Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/servicewa/id1599181775 and Android devices: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=au.gov.wa.digital.service.mobile.servicewa.citizen
Nicky Lefebvre
I am a journalist, photographer and content creator based in the beautiful Margaret River wine region, covering all aspects of our community including local news, sport, entertainment and events, as well as providing a platform for our readers to share their voices direct from regional Australia.
I am a journalist, photographer and content creator based in the beautiful Margaret River wine region, covering all aspects of our community including local news, sport, entertainment and events, as well as providing a platform for our readers to share their voices direct from regional Australia.
