Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Coronavirus daily snapshot
You should be aware of new rules that apply in WA (external site).
Remember to:
- practise physical distancing (keep at least 1.5 metres or two arms lengths from each other)
- practise good personal hygiene (wash hands often with soap and water, or hand sanitiser and cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use your elbow)
- stay home if unwell and if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms get tested for COVID-19
- download the SafeWA app (external site).
If you need help with translating the information on these sites, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.
Call the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Helpline on 13 COVID (13 26843). (Interstate callers: 1800 595 206. International callers: +61 8 9118 3100.)
How can I protect myself (incl. face masks) against COVID-19?
Every Western Australian needs to play their part to help stop the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus.
To stop the spread of coronavirus, everyone must:
- practise good hygiene
- practise physical distancing
- stay at home if unwell
- know the limits for public gatherings.
How do I practise good hygiene?
- Wash your hands often and for at least 20 seconds, with soap and water or use hand sanitiser.
- Cover covers and sneezes with a tissue or use your inner elbow. Throw the tissue in the bin immediately.
- Stay home if you're sick. Do not go to work or school.
- Clean surfaces and objects such as doorknobs, keyboards and phones regularly.
What is physical distancing?
- Keeping at least 1.5 metres or two arms lengths (minimum) away from others.
- Avoiding physical greetings such as handshaking, hugs and kisses.
- Using tap and pay instead of cash.
- Avoid large public gatherings and places where there are lots of people. Visit places at quieter times, or if you arrive and it is busy, leave and come back when the crowds have reduced.
- Do not visit others if they are unwell.
For more information about how to practise physical distancing at home, work, school or keeping in touch with others, visit the Australian Government Department of Health website (external site).
Stay at home if unwell and get tested
If you are feeling unwell or sick you must stay at home. Do not go to work or school. If you experience any of the symptoms listed in the “What are symptoms of COVID-19” section, no matter how mild, please get a COVID-19 test.
Are public gatherings still allowed?
View WA.gov advice on public gatherings for coronavirus (COVID-19) (external site).
Should I wear a face mask?
As of 12 January 2021 there are new requirement for the use of face masks, for more information visit the face masks page.
Where there is community transmission, face masks can help prevent the risk of spreading or catching COVID-19.
Staying safe during the festive season
Stay safe from COVID-19 during the festive season (PDF 155KB)
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Coronavirus can cause a range of symptoms. These can range from mild illness to pneumonia. If you experience any of the below symptoms, no matter how mild, please get a COVID-19 test.
- fever of 37.5°C or above OR fever in the last few days (for example, night sweats or chills), without a known source
OR
- have acute respiratory symptoms (for example, coughing, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose)
OR
- acute (sudden) loss of smell or taste
Who is most at risk of COVID-19?
All people are at risk of infection, but some groups are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill. These groups include:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 50 years and older with one or more chronic medical conditions
- People 65 years and older with chronic medical conditions. See this page on the Department of Health website for more information
- People 70 years and older
- People with compromised immune systems.
In addition to the ways listed in the 'How can I protect myself against COVID-19?' section above, you could consider:
- having groceries and essential items delivered to your home
- having a chemist deliver your medicines to your home
- working from home if you are employed and this is an option at your workplace.
Arrivals into Western Australia
What is self-isolation and self-quarantine?
What does self-quarantine mean?
Self-quarantine refers to people who have no symptoms: people need to self-quarantine if they are at greater risk of having COVID-19 (for example they may have had close contact with someone who is unwell with COVID-19 or have just returned from overseas or interstate).
Self-quarantine means you must remain in your home, hotel room or other accommodation for 14 days.
For more information on what self-quarantine means see Self-quarantine in Western Australia to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (PDF 184KB).
See frequently asked questions for any parent, guardian or support worker entering hotel quarantine (PDF 265KB) to accompany either a child under the age of 18 years or an adult that requires a carer during their hotel quarantine period.
What does self-isolation mean?
Self-isolation refers to people with symptoms or known disease: people need to self-isolate if they have tested positive to COVID-19 or if they have symptoms and have undergone a COVID-19 test and are waiting on results. People waiting on test results will need to stay in self-isolation until they receive their test results (UNLESS they were already in self-quarantine prior to testing, in which case they will still need to complete their original 14 days of quarantine). People who test positive to COVID-19 will need to stay in self-isolation until they are cleared by the Public Health Unit. For more information on what self-isolation means see COVID-19 Self-isolation information for confirmed cases (PDF 157KB) and Aboriginal resources: Coronavirus disease information for a confirmed case (PDF 139KB)
When does my home quarantine end?
If you are in self-quarantine at home, your quarantine ends at midnight, 14 days after you arrived in WA. The day of your arrival into WA is day 0. Day 14 will be 14 days after the day of your arrival. For example:
- if you arrive in WA at 8.00am on 20 August, day 0 will be 20 August, and day 14 will be 3 September. Your quarantine will end at midnight on 3 September.
- if you arrive in WA at 10.00pm on 30 August, day 0 will be 30 August, and day 14 will be 13 September. Your quarantine will end at midnight on 13 September.
What do I need to know about testing?
COVID-19 can cause a range of symptoms. These can range from mild illness to pneumonia. If you experience any of the below symptoms, no matter how mild, please get a COVID-19 test.
The latest advice and updates on COVID-19 testing including including:
Health and wellbeing during COVID-19
COVID-19 has affected our routines and way of life, which can have an impact on our health and wellbeing.
The latest advice and updates on COVID-19 for health and wellbeing including:
- mental health
- food and nutrition
- physical activity
- alcohol consumption
- smoking
- injury prevention
More information
What locations have been visited by confirmed cases?
The Department of Health is contacting all confirmed cases to identify and inform close contacts.
Learn more about the locations visited by confirmed cases.
Further information, advice and resources
Last reviewed: 17-01-2021
This publication is provided for education and information purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your healthcare professional. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users should seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional for a diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.