WA EASES MANDATORY COVID VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR MOST WORKERS AS CASES SLOW
0WA eases mandatory COVID vaccination requirements for most workers as cases slow
WA's workplace vaccine mandates will be scaled back significantly from next week as the state removes more of its COVID restrictions. Premier Mark McGowan said with a third dose rate of 81.8 per cent and falling case numbers. the time was right to move to the next phase of restrictions. 'That soft landing means we now have new health advice that recommends more public health measures can be safely phased out.' he said. From Friday June 10. only people working in healthcare and health support in hospitals and primary care. and those working in residential aged and disability care. will be required to be vaccinated. Vaccine mandates worked: McGowan Mr McGowan said the mandates. which at one time applied to about 75 per cent of the state's workforce. had been 'extraordinarily effective' in protecting the state from the worst of the virus by helping create world leading vaccination rates. That includes first and second dose rates that are now about 99 per cent. But he said the new health advice recommended the mandates could be removed for most workers. A cap on the number of unvaccinated citizens and permanent residents allowed into WA from overseas will also be removed. From June 15. restrictions on people visiting remote Aboriginal communities will also be scrapped. although communities will be allowed to impose their own rules. Worst case scenario averted in Indigenous communities Tania Baxter is the CEO of Bidyadanga. about two hours south of Broome in the West Kimberley. She said the community had a high vaccination rate and had managed the spread of COVID 19 effectively. with case numbers now on the decline. 'We've had COVID in the community and people haven't died which was the worst case scenario and what we were all fearful of.' she said. 'For us. this is just another step towards the new normal. living with COVID and this pandemic. She said there was still some apprehension about the potential jump in visitors such as grey nomads. but believed it 'was time to open up and get back to normal'. 'We're going to have to change our mindset because we have been hunkered down and living in fear for the last few years. [so] that's going to take a while to adjust to.' she said. 'My concern is that there is a new variant that we're not already vaccinated for … but I'm confident that whatever comes in the future that we will be able to manage it.' Mask mandates continue in some settings The changes mean the only remaining COVID rules are those requiring masks in certain settings. and visitor rules for hospital. aged and disability care facilities. 'These will remain and they will continue to be monitored by the Chief Health Officer.' Mr McGowan said. The rules for those who test positive to COVID. and their close contacts. remain unchanged. WA today recorded 8.452 new COVID cases and one death. There are now 298 people in hospital with the virus – the first time that figure has been below 300 since mid May. Eight people with COVID are being treated in intensive care. Employers can decide mandate rules The removal of most mandates will mean individual employers will now have to decide whether or not to require their staff to be vaccinated. 'If they wish to still do it under workplace health and safety laws. they can do an analysis and still do it. and many private sector workforces will do it.' Mr McGowan said. He said most government departments and agencies. which together employ about 151.000 people. would allow those who are not vaccinated to return. That would likely only affect about 500 people. although some may still be subject to 'temporary' restrictions under workplace health and safety obligations. Both the prison system and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services are currently considering whether to keep mandates in place. Police end vaccine mandate But Mr McGowan said the police force would be dropping its vaccination requirements. 'I'm not going to second guess the Police...
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