❓ Dr. Steve Thomas questions the WA government's COVID-19 transition plan, specifically regarding border controls, quarantine rules, business closures, and compensation. The government responds, clarifying the border opening date, quarantine protocols, business closure policies, and available financial support.
AnsweredQoN 1160Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CORONAVIRUS — INTERSTATE BORDER RESTRICTIONS —
TRANSITION PLAN
1160. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the minister representing the
Minister for Health:
I
refer to the McGowan government's announcement yesterday that WA would
proceed with a safe transition plan to safely ease its hard border
control in line with the 90 per cent vaccination rate from 12.01 am on
Saturday, 5 February 2022.
(1) Is this date
unequivocally set in concrete and will the border controls be eased, regardless
of whether the 90 per cent vaccination rate is met?
(2) If an individual is diagnosed with COVID-19 and is
required to quarantine at home, will all family members or close
contacts, regardless of whether they are double vaccinated, also be required to
quarantine?
(3) If a business
is identified as a hot spot for a COVID-19 outbreak, will the business be
forced to close or will it continue to operate if the staff are double
vaccinated?
(4) Will
individuals or businesses that are forced to quarantine or close due to medical
advice be offered compensation from the government if their livelihoods are
impacted because of that direction?
The PRESIDENT : Okay, so we are on long questions
today.
TRANSITION PLAN
1160. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the minister representing the
Minister for Health:
I
refer to the McGowan government's announcement yesterday that WA would
proceed with a safe transition plan to safely ease its hard border
control in line with the 90 per cent vaccination rate from 12.01 am on
Saturday, 5 February 2022.
(1) Is this date
unequivocally set in concrete and will the border controls be eased, regardless
of whether the 90 per cent vaccination rate is met?
(2) If an individual is diagnosed with COVID-19 and is
required to quarantine at home, will all family members or close
contacts, regardless of whether they are double vaccinated, also be required to
quarantine?
(3) If a business
is identified as a hot spot for a COVID-19 outbreak, will the business be
forced to close or will it continue to operate if the staff are double
vaccinated?
(4) Will
individuals or businesses that are forced to quarantine or close due to medical
advice be offered compensation from the government if their livelihoods are
impacted because of that direction?
The PRESIDENT : Okay, so we are on long questions
today.
AnswerView source ↗
On behalf of the Minister for
Mental Health, I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. I
provide the following response based on the information provided by the
Minister for Health.
(1) The date of 5
February has been selected based on health advice and the expectation that the
state will have achieved a full vaccination rate of 90 per cent for persons
aged 12 years and over. That date will not be amended based on the achieved
vaccination rate.
(2) The
principles established by Communicable Diseases Network Australia's
series of national guidelines will be followed.
(3) Businesses
and premises will not be forced to close by default. Each exposure site will
continue to be risk assessed according to the extent and duration of the
exposure.
(4) The McGowan
government has provided over $9 billion in COVID-19 response measures to ensure
that our frontline services are well resourced to respond to the pandemic,
support businesses and households and boost our economic recovery. Services
Australia's pandemic leave disaster payment is available for
individuals who cannot earn an income because they must self-isolate,
quarantine or care for someone who has COVID-19. The best way to protect
individuals and businesses is to get vaccinated.
Mental Health, I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. I
provide the following response based on the information provided by the
Minister for Health.
(1) The date of 5
February has been selected based on health advice and the expectation that the
state will have achieved a full vaccination rate of 90 per cent for persons
aged 12 years and over. That date will not be amended based on the achieved
vaccination rate.
(2) The
principles established by Communicable Diseases Network Australia's
series of national guidelines will be followed.
(3) Businesses
and premises will not be forced to close by default. Each exposure site will
continue to be risk assessed according to the extent and duration of the
exposure.
(4) The McGowan
government has provided over $9 billion in COVID-19 response measures to ensure
that our frontline services are well resourced to respond to the pandemic,
support businesses and households and boost our economic recovery. Services
Australia's pandemic leave disaster payment is available for
individuals who cannot earn an income because they must self-isolate,
quarantine or care for someone who has COVID-19. The best way to protect
individuals and businesses is to get vaccinated.
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