COVID restrictions to ease in the Mid West from March 31 as WA approaches virus peak

Most of the State Government’s strict COVID rules will be scrapped in the Mid West from March 31, but indoor mask mandates will remain in place across WA. Premier Mark McGowan on Thursday said WA was expected to hit its COVID peak in the coming days, and most Level 2 restrictions would subsequently be removed as of March 31. From March 31, checking-in using the SafeWA or ServiceWA app will only be required in venues that need proof of vaccination for entry, including bars and nightclubs. Contact tracing registers will no longer be required at supermarkets, retail outlets or other low-risk sites. Indoor gatherings of 30 people will be permitted — up from 10 guests under the Level 2 rules — and outdoor home events can have up to 200 attendees. The 2sqm rule will still apply for hospitality venues, nightclubs, fitness venues, galleries, museums and hairdressers, and masks must be worn indoors. For hospitality venues and nightclubs, the crowd cap will sit at 500 — up from 150 — for a temporary period of two weeks. Hospital and aged-care restrictions remain in place, as will proof-of-vaccination requirements for venues and workers. The announcement comes as Mid West continues to record more than 100 COVID cases each day, with 154 new cases identified in the latest reporting period. There are now more than 560 active COVID cases in the Mid West.