Premier Mark McGowan has announced “phase 2” easing of restrictions effective from Monday May 18.

This is the second group of restrictions the State Government has eased after gatherings of no more than two people were lifted to 10 people two weeks ago. Mr McGowan said there will be four phases for WA.

From Monday May 18:

• Indoor/outdoor non-work gathering increased to 20 people
• West Australians encouraged to return to work unless sick or fall into a vulnerable category
• Cafes, restaurants, pubs, casino, bars open for DINE-IN ONLY limited to 20 patrons with 4 sq/m rule applied. State Government asking Local Governments for more flexibility on expanding alfresco trading boundaries to assist with 4 sq/m rule.
• Bars/Pubs – Alcohol can only be served with food and patrons must be seated.
• Weddings and funerals can now have 20 people indoors and 30 outdoors
• Places of worship, libraries, community facilities can reopen limited to 20 people
• Non-contact community sports and training allowed for no more than 20 people
• Outdoor and indoor fitness classes with minimal shared equipment can take place limited to 20 people
• Public swimming pools with no more than 20 people per pool
• Regional borders to reduce from 13 regions to four. Travel permitted within:
  – South-West, Great Southern, Wheatbelt, Perth, Peel
  – Mid-West, Gascoyne, Pilbara
  – Goldfields, Esperance
  – Local government areas within Kimberley.
  (Restrictions on remote communities and biosecurity areas remain)

Phase 3 easing of restrictions will be announced about four weeks after Monday May 18 2020.

The hard state border closure will be one of the last restrictions lifted.

“I urge all Western Australians to remain focused on what we are doing here in Western Australia,” said Mr McGowan.

“Our hard borders and our isolation have worked to our advantage and we must keep it at that. It’s because of this we can be more economically progressive and more advanced than the other states.”

Latest COVID-19 Figures:

• 0 new cases today.
• Current WA total – 552
• 536 people have recovered – leaving 7 ACTIVE cases.
• 4 of the active cases are in hospital (1 in ICU).
• 1 of the active cases is regional – in the Goldfields
• 55,758 people have been tested
• Total deaths to date – 9.

Listen to the full press conference with Premier Mark McGowan, Health Minister Roger Cook and Police Commissioner Chris Dawson: