Coronavirus (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
• understand how to self-isolate if you need to.

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

If you are feeling unwell or sick you must stay at home. Do not go to work or school. If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms get tested for COVID-19.

Are public gatherings still allowed?

View WA.gov advice on public gatherings for coronavirus (COVID-19) (external site).

Self-isolation

Please see the self isolation drop-down menu on this page.

Should I wear a face mask?

WA Health does not generally recommend the use of facemasks for the general public to prevent the risk of contracting COVID-19.

However, if you are in an area where community transmission is occurring and physical distancing is difficult to maintain, covering your face with a mask can provide some protection.

• Advice on the use of masks in the community Australian Government (external site)
• How to wear a mask correctly Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (external site)
• How to make a cloth mask (external link)

Coronavirus can cause a range of symptoms. Symptoms can range from mild illness to pneumonia. Affected people may experience:

• fever
• flu like symptoms such as coughing and sore throat
• difficulty breathing
• acute loss of smell or taste.

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.

Any person will be considered for testing if they have COVID-19 symptoms (refer to 'What are the symptoms of COVID-19?' section above.)

People who have been in New South Wales or Victoria within 14 days of arriving into WA (and are not in a State managed centre/hotel) must present for testing within 48 hours of arriving in WA as well as on day 11.

This testing can occur at WA government COVID clinics, or at one of the listed WA regional hospitals (Albany, Broome, Bunbury, Geraldton, Port Hedland or Kalgoorlie).

COVID clinics

COVID clinics are open across the Perth metropolitan and regional areas.

People seeking testing in regional areas, where there isn’t a COVID clinic should go to a public hospital, health service or remote health clinic. Make sure you phone ahead to advise of your symptoms.

Read the COVID-19 clinics – frequently asked questions (PDF 278KB).

Private pathology collection centres

Patients with a GP referral can now be tested for COVID-19 at select private pathology collection centres.

Find a COVID clinic or private pathology collection centre near you.

Testing for people who have recently arrived from Victoria or New South Wales

People who have been in New South Wales or Victoria at any time in the 14 days before they entered WA (and are not in a State managed centre/hotel) must get tested on the day of arrival prior to leaving Perth airport or within 48 hours of arriving in WA (if arriving by road/rail) as well as on day 11.

Everyone travelling to Western Australia issued a Centre Quarantine Direction under the Emergency Management Act 2005 will need to quarantine in a hotel for 14 days following arrival.  

COVID-19 Paying for hotel quarantine in WA FAQs (PDF 175KB)

More information is available at WA.gov.au (external site)

You must self-isolate:

• if you have tested positive for COVID-19: you must self-isolate in your home (or other suitable accommodation) until you have been told you can be released from isolation.
• if you have been tested for COVID-19: you must isolate yourself in your home (or other suitable accommodation) while you are waiting for your result.
• if you have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19: you must isolate yourself in your home (or other suitable accommodation) for 14 days after the date of last contact with the confirmed case.
• if you arrived into Western Australia you will be subject to mandatory self-isolation for 14 days at your first Australian destination. Suitable accommodation will be made available. You will not be permitted to return home or transit to another state until your 14 day self-isolation period is completed.

Self-quarantine in Western Australia for returned travellers, close contacts and those tested for COVID-19 (PDF 225KB)

COVID-19 Self-isolation information for confirmed cases (PDF 157KB)

Self-isolation

Self-isolation means you must stay in your home, hotel room, or other accommodation even if you are perfectly well with no symptoms. If you live in a unit or apartment block you must stay in your unit or apartment. You cannot attend public places such as work, school, shopping centres or go on a holiday. Only people who usually live with you should be in the home. Do not see visitors.

You must stay in your place of isolation and NOT GO OUT, except to seek medical care. You should call ahead for advice.

If you require urgent medical assistance call 000 and let them know that you are in self-isolation due to COVID-19.

If you are in self-quarantine you cannot undergo elective surgery. Contact the hospital to reschedule your surgery for when you are due to be cleared from quarantine.

If you have entered Western Australia under an exemption and have been granted permission on compassionate grounds to visit a patient in hospital within your quarantine period, you must phone ahead to the hospital to arrange this visit to ensure it is managed appropriately. Precautions need to be put in place to protect staff and patients while you attend the hospital. More information is available in the COVID-19 Public hospital visitor guidelines (external site).

What does this mean for your family or other people you live with?

Other people who live in your home do not need to self-isolate and can go about their usual activities provided the above precautions are followed. However, if you develop symptoms and become a confirmed COVID-19 case your family may need to self-isolate. Your Public Health Unit will advise you.

Medical certificates are not required for people who need to self-isolate.

Medical and welfare assistance for people in isolation

• If you need welfare assistance phone Department of Communities on 1800 032 965
• If you need emergency dental assistance phone 0429 441 162
• If you need mental health assistance phone Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
• If you need emergency medical assistance phone 000
• For other medical assistance contact your General Practitioner (GP). If your GP is not able to assist, contact an after-hours GP telehealth service.

View contact details for after-hours GP telehealth services (PDF 308KB)

COVID-19 has affected our routines and way of life, which can have an impact on our health and wellbeing.

It's important to look after your health while adapting to changes brought about by COVID-19.

Make sure to keep taking your usual medications, and go to your usual or scheduled doctor's appointments. If you are worried about going to see them in person, contact them to arrange a telehealth consultation.

To protect yourself and others, it's also recommended to get your annual influenza vaccination.

Look after your mental health

Being concerned about coronavirus (COVID-19) is a normal reaction. But, too much worrying can affect both our mental and our physical health.

Some ways to stay mentally healthy:

• stay informed with the right information (either the WA Department of Health (external site) or Australian Government Department of Health (external site))
• stay connected with family and friends – if you can't meet up in person, try talking via phone, video calls, sending emails, social media or writing letters.
• maintain healthy routines
• access support.

Read more about mental health.

For more information about support, resources and how to access services visit:

• Mental Health Commission WA (external site)
• Mental health and COVID-19 in WA (external site)
• Head to Health COVID-19 support Australian Government (external site).

Eat healthy and nutritious foods

Good nutrition is essential for ongoing health and wellbeing. It's important to eat well and have a healthy diet with lots of different nutrients.

Read more about healthy eating or view our list of healthy recipes.

For tips on healthy eating and more recipes visit LiveLighter (external site).

To learn about nutrition and cooking skills visit Foodbank (external site).

Be physically active

Being physically active is vital for health and wellbeing. Read our tips for being active.

You can also find useful information and resources about keeping active while staying at home at LiveLighter (external site).

Limit alcohol consumption

With the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, it is a stressful time for many people with our daily lives changing. Some people may turn to alcohol for short-term stress relief or boredom, but rather than helping us cope, alcohol can make people feel more stressed and anxious.

For tips on reducing your drinking at home, visit Alcohol Think Again (external site).

Stop smoking

Smoking can put you at greater risk of getting chest infections and influenza, and emerging evidence suggests that smoking can be a significant risk factor for more severe symptoms of COVID-19.

Read facts about giving up smoking, getting ready to quit or helping others to quit.

Learn more about quitting smoking and find support by visiting the Make Smoking History (external site). If you’re thinking of quitting, visit WA Quitline (external site).

Prevent injuries

COVID-19 has caused many of us to make changes to our daily routines, and this can change our risk of injury.

Most injuries happen in and around the home, so take practical measures to make sure your home is safe for children and that your water recreation is safe.

For more information visit Kidsafe (external site) and the Royal Life Saving Society of Western Australia (external site).

It's also important for older adults know how to prevent falls. Find out more at Stay On Your Feet® (external site).

The Department of Health is contacting all confirmed cases to identify and inform close contacts.

Learn more about the locations visited by confirmed cases.

General information

• What are coronaviruses?
• What is the 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
• What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
• How is COVID-19 spread?
• Who is most at risk of COVID-19?

Testing

• Should I be tested if I don't have symptoms?
• Why won't I get tested if I don't have symptoms?
• Who can be tested?
• Where can I be tested?
• I need to travel overseas to return home. Can I have a test to meet the entry requirements for the place I am returning to?
• Why is point of care serological testing prohibited in WA?
• How do I get medical clearance for work?

Treatment

• What is the treatment for COVID-19?
• Is there a vaccine?
• How is COVID-19 diagnosed?
• What if I don't have Medicare cover?

Self-isolation

• What does self-quarantine mean?
• What does self-isolation mean?
• Do I need to self-quarantine/self-isolate?
• What should I do if I come into contact with a person with confirmed COVID-19 infection?
• What should I do if I need to self-quarantine or self-isolate in a hotel (non-mandatory)?
• I am in self-isolation in a hotel. Can I move around the hotel?
• I am caring for someone who has (or could have) COVID-19, how can I protect myself?
• Can employees return to work if their family members are in a 14 day self-isolation?

Travel

• Can I still come into Western Australia?
• Do I need to self-quarantine if I am travelling to Western Australia from another state?
• Do I need to self-quarantine if I have arrived from overseas?
• Can I still travel in WA?

Protect yourself and others

• How do I practise good hygiene?
• Should I wear a face mask?
• What is physical distancing?

Other

• Should I avoid contact with pets or other animals if I am sick?
• Can domestic animals infect people with COVID-19?

View the coronavirus FAQ's (PDF 237KB)