WA’s reopening on March 3 will now include increased restrictions across the State amid modelling that shows peak COVID case numbers will be reached in about two weeks.

Premier Mark McGowan said the extra restrictions are expected to be in place for about four weeks, and will be revised before the end of the month.

Effective 12:01am Thursday, March 3, the following Level 2 COVID restrictions will apply: 

• 2sqm rule and 150-patron capacity limit for fitness venues, hospitality, entertainment venues, nightclubs, and galleries and museums, with seated service only;
• 2sqm rule for hairdressers, tattoo parlours and beauty services;  
• 2sqm rule and 500-person capacity limit for outdoor public venues and events, with mask wearing; 
• 2sqm rule for public venues such as swimming pools and recreation centres; 
• 50 per cent capacity limit and mask-wearing for entertainment venues with forward-facing seating such as theatres and cinemas, and for major stadia; 
• home gatherings limited to 10 people indoors and outdoors, except weddings and funerals; 
• private outdoor gatherings in a public space limited to 50 people; 
• 2sqm rule and 150-person capacity limit indoors or outdoors for weddings, funerals, and places of worship — no more than 10 people inside if held at a private residence; 
• 2sqm rule and 150-person capacity limit indoors or outdoors for higher education facilities including pathway colleges and English language schools; 
• indoor community sports as per venue requirement, with no spectators, except for parents or guardians. Outdoor community sports permitted with no spectators, except for parents or guardians; and 
• 4sqm rule and seated service only at Crown Casino gaming floor. 
• children in Years 3-6 added to wear masks in all public indoor settings; 
• limit of two visitors per resident per day to aged care and disability care facilities; and 
• no visitors to hospitals except for spouses, parents or carers, birth partners or for compassionate reasons. 

Read more: Business continuity planning during COVID-19

Notably, these rules do not include a 4sqm rule but rather overall capacity limits, which is preferred by the majority of businesses. A full list of capacity restrictions can be found here. 

CCIWA Chief Economist Aaron Morey said CCIWA welcomed the commitment to announce further financial support for businesses within the week, which CCIWA has been advocating for. 

“We urge members to let us know of any issues in accessing previous support, or concerns about eligibility,” he said.

The Premier said the upgraded measures to current Level 1 settings were scaled back from the original plan due to WA’s high vaccination rate.

“More than 95 per cent of Western Australians have received two doses and almost 63 per cent of those aged 16 and over are now triple dose vaccinated,” he said.

“In light of this, we have so far mitigated the need to move to the severe 4sqm rule for businesses, which would have a much larger impact on WA jobs.”

He said WA was not yet at the point of implementing critical worker settings.

For resources and advice, see CCIWA’s COVID-19 Support Centre. 

Our Employee Relations Advice Centre is also available to respond to your questions on (08) 9365 7660, or via [email protected].