An announcement on Western Australia's border reopening will be made sometime this month, Premier Mark McGowan has confirmed.
Key points:
- WA has recorded 62 new COVID-19 cases, with 48 locally acquired
- The Premier says there is "no doubt" of a border decision this month
- The number of COVID-19 tests in WA jumped to over 8,000 yesterday
He made the comment while revealing WA had recorded 48 new local cases of COVID-19.
Speaking ahead of state parliament resuming today, Mr McGowan said the state was on the right track to further ease border restrictions.
"I can't give you an exact answer [when], but clearly with our vaccination rates growing very significantly and the eastern states coming off the peak and children's vaccination rates growing, and as case numbers climb here, we'll reach an outcome at some time and we'll make that announcement during this month," he said.
But he did not provide any further insight on when the border might ease or when exactly the announcement would be made.
"You can't pre-empt the review, it would be inappropriate and improper to do that," he said.
WA's hard border had been due to fall on February 5, but the Premier announced on January 20 the state would remain closed because not enough people had been triple vaccinated in the face of the looming threat from Omicron.
Mr McGowan said today another 14 returned interstate and overseas travellers had also tested positive to COVID-19, bringing the total number of new infections in WA to 62.
Out of the positive test results, 55 came from PCR tests, with the remaining seven from rapid antigen tests.
It brings the state's total number of active cases to 471.
Testing numbers almost double
The number of PCR swabs taken yesterday was significantly up on previous days, with 8,051 tests performed.
That is almost double the 4,351 tests carried out on Sunday.
Three aged care facilities are continuing to deal with outbreaks, with 30 schools also reporting confirmed cases.
Mr McGowan said the testing numbers confirmed the decision to delay WA's reopening was the right one.
He said case numbers continued to be low compared to what they would have been if the border had been opened, and that thousands of people had still been able to travel to WA over the last two weeks.
"Those 25,000 people have reunited with families and caught up with friends and what have you, so that's been a good outcome in a safe way," he said.
The Premier again pointed to WA's growing booster dose rate, which currently sits around 51.5 per cent, as key to the reopening.
"By the time we reopen the interstate and international borders, we'll be one of the highest vaccinated places in the world with one of the safest populations in the world, which is a great thing," he said.
Bid to limit aged care workers moving
The Premier said with three aged care homes having reported outbreaks, the government was trying to limit staff movements.
"It's far better if people don't move between facilities," he said.
"But at the same time, getting aged care workforces and the aged care residents more heavily vaccinated is incredibly important."
All aged care staff are required to either be double-dose vaccinated or have an exemption.
State government rules also mean staff must receive their booster within a month of becoming eligible.
Figures obtained from the Commonwealth Health Department on Friday showed 80.5 per cent of eligible aged care residents in the state had received a booster.
WA's aged care population is the least vaccinated in the country.
Unvaccinated MPs could be suspended
The government is expected to put forward a motion in the Upper House this afternoon to immediately suspend any MPs who are not vaccinated against COVID-19.
The motion is also expected to require that members be triple-dosed if eligible.
Liberal MP Nick Goiran has regularly refused to reveal whether or not he is vaccinated, as has Legalise Cannabis Party MP Sophia Moermond.
"I'd urge the Liberal Party to do the right thing here," Mr McGowan said.
"This is not a time for people to try and make political points."
Mr McGowan flagged his speech in parliament today outlining that his government's agenda would include reforms to firearms legislation.
He said it would be about making sure that "people like bikies" do not have access to guns.
Mr McGowan said there would also be reforms to the bail act, aimed at protecting children, and reforms to land administration.
"So that we can promote the production of green hydrogen in Western Australia, [to] make sure we use our pastoral lands for those purposes," he said.
The Premier also said there would be measures to promote further efficiencies in local government.
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Mark McGowan flags WA border opening decision as 48 new local COVID-19 cases reported - ABC News
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