Mark McGowan has revealed the State Government’s new proof-of-vaccination app will launch on Tuesday and flagged further restrictions for unvaxxed West Aussies are just around the corner.
Proof people have been double-jabbed is required for venues taking in more than 500 punters, including nightclubs, music festivals and major events, pubs, taverns and the Crown gaming floor.
“Tomorrow we will launch a new app to make the process of showing proof of vaccination (easier) which will be important as it will become far more frequent in the lead up to the (border) transition (on February 5),” Mr McGowan said.
On vaccination figures, the Premier revealed WA’s first dose percentage has hit 93.9 per cent for West Aussies aged 12 and over.
The second dose rate is 86.3 per cent, with WA’s third dose rate at 14.5 per cent.
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“We are currently finalising a longer term policy which will cover a wide range of licensed events and venues, restaurants as well as riskier environments like indoor fitness centres,” he said.
“This policy will come into force as we move closer to easing border controls.
“Far too many resources are being used over east to care for individuals who have not taken the basic steps to care for themselves.
“If you have not had your first dose yet, please make your first booking today otherwise life is about to get difficult for you.”
When questioned further on what type of events could be shut off to WA’s unvaccinated, the Premier suggested AFL matches could be among them.
“My intention is (the policy) would include those sorts of events as we move forward,” he said.
“The advice I have is that we do not have any events scheduled prior to February 5 but we will move towards pre-vaccination requirements for those major events going forward.”
Mark McGowan has revealed the State Government’s new proof-of-vaccination app will launch on Tuesday, as requirement are “expanded further in coming days”. Credit: Kelsey Reid/The West Australian
It comes as WA recorded three new local COVID cases. All three were in quarantine and were not believed to have been contagious in the community.
One is linked to the backpacker cluster sparked by a French tourist in December.
Regarding the case of the Hyatt Hotel security guard and his partner, all 33 contacts have tested negative.
Some 380 people will arrive into WA today on five separate flights. Of those, 138 from Northern Territory will go into self quarantine after the region was classified a high risk jurisdiction.
On Sunday 227 truck drivers were stopped at the South Australian border. One was turned away after testing positive to COVID through a rapid antigen test.
“The sheer number of cases in the rest of the country right now, it is placing pressure on supply chains across a number of industries,” Mr McGowan said.
“There is a dedicated team working hard to ensure our supply chains continue to operate safely. The second (thing) it illustrates is the risk of another outbreak prior to our safe transition plan.”
The Premier revealed 13,399 bookings had been made for WA children aged 5 - 11 to get their first jab between Tuesday and January 24, after the vaccine was made available to this cohort from Monday.
“There are still over 5000 appointments available for parents to book at state-run clinics,” he said.
The Premier revealed 13,399 bookings had been made for WA children aged 5 - 11 to get their first jab between Tuesday and January 24, after the vaccine was made available to this cohort from Monday. Credit: Simon Santi/The West Australian
Mr McGowan also added that the Government was sharing paediatric vaccine supply with GPs yet to receive supply promised by the Commonwealth.
“We received 33,700 doses on Friday and expect to receive that each week,” he said.
“But we will provide some of the doses where we can to GPs and pharmacies which have not yet received the doses they were expecting from the Commonwealth.
“We know that many parents will want to take their children to GPs, like they do for other childhood immunisations.
“But I want to assure all parents that our State clinics in Perth and across regional WA are there and available to be used.”
I get a booster shot on Sunday morning too. wish we lucky
get some Covid device next week
I am looking for this these days. can’t get this test box in WA this moment ?
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