Chris Rodwell

CEO

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA (CCIWA) supports the measures outlined by the State Government today to strengthen the contact tracing system in Western Australia. Our consistent position has been that robust processes for testing, tracing and quarantining are needed to ease restrictions on WA businesses.

As we look towards a more fully reintegrated national economy, it is an appropriate trade-off for WA businesses to have a role in maintaining contact registers to assist the State testing and tracing effort.

Providing a free ‘SafeWA’ app to supply QR codes is a suitable way to enable WA businesses to comply without substantial inconvenience.

The economic impacts of COVID-19 have been severe. It is important that WA’s recovery is not undermined or delayed by remaining a closed economy for longer than required by health advice. It remains critical to this trade-off that the Government adhere to its own criteria announced on October 30 relating to “very low risk” destinations. The Queensland Government has confirmed that following 28 days of no ‘unknown-source’ COVID-19 transmission in Victoria and New South Wales, its State borders will reopen to those states in accordance with their public commitment.

CCIWA will work with the State Government and our members to implement the requirements announced today, and looks forward to further supporting WA’s continued progress towards re-joining the national economy.