Staying safe

Everyone can play a part to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Western Australia.

If unwell, stay at home and get tested

If you feel unwell or sick, you should stay at home. Do not go to work or school.
Get tested for COVID-19, even if your symptoms are mild.
If you test positive for COVID-19, stay home for at least 5 full days and until your symptoms clear.
Avoid having visitors in your home while you are unwell or have COVID-like symptoms.

Stay up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations

Vaccination – keep up-to-date with all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses and boosters.
Speak to your GP for more information on COVID-19 vaccination.

Keep up healthy hygiene habits

Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use your inner elbow. Throw the tissue in the bin and wash or sanitise your hands immediately.
Regularly clean frequently touched surfaces and objects such as doorknobs, keyboards and phones.

Physical distance

Keep at least 1.5 metres or two arms’ lengths away from other people, where possible.
Avoid physical greetings, such as handshakes, hugs and kisses.
Use ‘tap and pay’ instead of paying with cash.
Avoid large gatherings and crowded places.
Do not visit people who are unwell.

Wear a face mask

Consider wearing a face mask in crowded indoor settings and where physical distancing is not possible. The use of face masks is no longer required in Western Australia but is recommended in certain situations.
Hospitals and other healthcare settings may have face mask policies for employees and visitors.

Reduce airborne transmission

The risk of COVID-19 spreading in crowded, indoor spaces is higher than outdoors because an infected person can spread the virus via droplets that linger in the air when they breathe, talk, cough or sneeze.

Ventilating your home with fresh outdoor air or using an air purifier may reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission at home.

Limit the number of visitors in your home.
Gather outdoors if possible.
Open windows and doors to bring fresh outdoor air into the house, if safe to do so and if weather permits.
Increase air flow by using fans on the lowest setting and turning on kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans.
Use an air conditioning system that can bring fresh outdoor air into the house (some air conditioning systems just recirculate indoor air). Check your system, know how it works and follow instructions on maintenance and cleaning.
Use a portable air cleaner unit, with proper HEPA filters, to reduce the number of viral particles in the air.

For further information about COVID-19 and ventilation:

People at greater risk of serious illness from COVID-19

If you are at greater risk of serious illness from COVID-19, consider taking extra care to avoid contact with COVID-19 cases, close contacts and people who have COVID-like symptoms.

Additional tips for staying safe.

At home, ask guests to stay home if they have any COVID-19 symptoms or are a close contact, encourage guests to perform a rapid antigen test and use hand sanitiser prior to entering your home, do not share cups and utensils or serve finger food, and gather outside or open windows to bring in fresh outdoor air.
Out and about, wear a mask and avoid crowded areas or wait outside or in well-ventilated areas, if possible.
On public transport, wear a mask, perform hand hygiene before and after travelling, avoid eating, sit away from others and open a window, if possible.
In the workplace, discuss with your employer the possibility of working from home or arrangements to minimise your risk at work. A letter from your doctor may help. Try to ensure your workspace is well ventilated and allows for appropriate physical distancing.

Your GP or specialist can provide more individualised advice on how to stay safe.

COVID-safe travel in WA

If you’re travelling, it is a good idea to pack rapid antigen tests (RATs), face masks, sanitiser, thermometer, pain relief medication, proof of vaccination and enough food, water, and fuel with you to complete the trip home without making unnecessary stops.

Save important phone numbers to your mobile phone such as your GP, healthdirect (1800 022 222) and family or other important support people.

Think about what you will do if you test positive for COVID-19 or become a close contact while you are away.

If you become unwell while travelling

If you experience COVID-like symptoms while travelling, get tested as soon as possible. Do not wait until you get home. Rapid antigen tests (RATs) are a safe and convenient option.

Stay at your accommodation and away from others until you get your test results.

You can return home via private transport while waiting for your test results if you are well enough to travel but should minimise stops or contact with others. It is recommended that you wear a mask.

If you are not well enough to return home safely, stay where you are. You may need to book a longer stay in your holiday accommodation, cancel or reschedule flights or other travel bookings, and claim travel insurance.

If you test COVID-positive, follow the recommendations for COVID-19 cases.

Other travel resources

For the most up-to-date information on international travel refer to the following:

COVID-19 Care Plans

A COVID-19 Care Plan includes important information about you and your health and details your plans for the care of your pets and other people in your care, should you need to go to hospital with COVID-19.

You can share your care plan with:

your GP
your family or support person
hospital staff and other health workers.

Resources

Last reviewed: 12-12-2023