❓ Ms. Davies questions the Premier about the triggers and timeline for implementing level 2 COVID-19 restrictions. The Premier responds that the relevant modelling and health advice have been released publicly and emphasizes the reluctance to move to level 2 restrictions, citing high vaccination rates and the potential for changing circumstances to influence decisions.
AnsweredQoN 52Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CORONAVIRUS — RESTRICTIONS
52. Ms M.J. DAVIES to the Premier:
I refer to the introduction of
level 1 restrictions that were introduced on Monday, 21 February, and the
Premier's advice that level 2 restrictions will be required, according
to modelling that he still has not released.
(1) What are the case numbers
and/or other factors that will trigger level 2 restrictions?
(2) On or around what date will the
restrictions be implemented?
52. Ms M.J. DAVIES to the Premier:
I refer to the introduction of
level 1 restrictions that were introduced on Monday, 21 February, and the
Premier's advice that level 2 restrictions will be required, according
to modelling that he still has not released.
(1) What are the case numbers
and/or other factors that will trigger level 2 restrictions?
(2) On or around what date will the
restrictions be implemented?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
member for the question.
(1)–(2) The
modelling she is referring to has been released publicly and is currently up on
the website, but I will table it for the Leader of the Opposition to look at.
The health advice upon which we acted, provided by the Chief Health Officer,
has also been released publicly, but I will table it here for members to look
at as well.
[See papers 962 and 963 .]
Mr M. McGOWAN : Obviously,
level 2 restrictions are something that we are reluctant to head towards. We
currently have what are called level 1 restrictions in place. That is the
two-square-metre rule, some restrictions on gatherings in the homes,
restrictions on public gatherings and a reduction in the number of people
attending events such as football games, stadia, concerts, theatres or things
of that nature, which is similar to what has been put in place in the eastern
states, although perhaps not as severe. The reason it is not as severe as some
of the restrictions in some of the eastern states is that we have extremely
high levels of vaccination. We are now at rates of around 99 per cent first dose, around 96 per cent double
dose and approaching 60 per cent third dose. By delaying the border reopening,
we have been able to get to those very high levels of third-dose vaccination
and also very high levels of children's vaccination, prior to having a major
seeding event in Western Australia. That is the position. As I said, we are
reluctant to head towards the level 2 restrictions, which is the
four-square-metre rule, but we will continue to monitor. The thing about COVID
is making hard and fast decisions, and setting dates and times and so forth can
often be influenced by circumstances. That is why it is ill-advised to be too
prescriptive, because circumstances can change.
member for the question.
(1)–(2) The
modelling she is referring to has been released publicly and is currently up on
the website, but I will table it for the Leader of the Opposition to look at.
The health advice upon which we acted, provided by the Chief Health Officer,
has also been released publicly, but I will table it here for members to look
at as well.
[See papers 962 and 963 .]
Mr M. McGOWAN : Obviously,
level 2 restrictions are something that we are reluctant to head towards. We
currently have what are called level 1 restrictions in place. That is the
two-square-metre rule, some restrictions on gatherings in the homes,
restrictions on public gatherings and a reduction in the number of people
attending events such as football games, stadia, concerts, theatres or things
of that nature, which is similar to what has been put in place in the eastern
states, although perhaps not as severe. The reason it is not as severe as some
of the restrictions in some of the eastern states is that we have extremely
high levels of vaccination. We are now at rates of around 99 per cent first dose, around 96 per cent double
dose and approaching 60 per cent third dose. By delaying the border reopening,
we have been able to get to those very high levels of third-dose vaccination
and also very high levels of children's vaccination, prior to having a major
seeding event in Western Australia. That is the position. As I said, we are
reluctant to head towards the level 2 restrictions, which is the
four-square-metre rule, but we will continue to monitor. The thing about COVID
is making hard and fast decisions, and setting dates and times and so forth can
often be influenced by circumstances. That is why it is ill-advised to be too
prescriptive, because circumstances can change.
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