There has been a drastic and rapid introduction of COVID restrictions in Western Australia overnight. The WA Premier has announced restrictions for the Perth metropolitan area, Peel and South West regions that commenced at 6pm, Sunday 31 January 2021.
The current statement on the WA Government COVID website states:
“Effective from 6pm tonight (Sunday 31 January 2021) until 6pm Friday, 5 February 2021, the Perth metropolitan area, Peel and South West regions will enter a lockdown.
The lockdown has been introduced due to the detection of a positive COVID-19 case in a hotel quarantine worker.
The new restrictions also contain comprehensive Government directions regarding compulsory wearing of masks in the Perth metropolitan area, Peel and South West regions.
The full details of the WA lockdown are available here: https://www.wa.gov.au/government/announcements/perth-metro-peel-and-south-west-enter-hard-lockdown
Full details on the mandatory wearing of masks are available here: https://healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Coronavirus/Face-masks
Based on our reading of these new restrictions natural medicine in clinic practices is not banned in the Perth metropolitan area, Peel and South West regions, falling broadly under the exemption for medical or health care needs.
The decision to practice remains up to the professional discretion of the practitioner. If you do continue to practice all previously advised infection control and pre-screening measures must be adopted, with the addition of compulsory masks. It is worth stating that a decision to pause or limit practice is also a valid decision in these circumstances.
There are 2 exceptions specifically noted in the WA announcement:
- “massage parlours” must close (without any definition of a “massage parlour”): and
- “No visitors will be allowed in homes unless caring for a vulnerable person or in an emergency”
What do the new WA rules specifically say that is relevant to the practice of natural medicine?
The following restrictions apply for the lockdown period:
- No visitors will be allowed in homes unless caring for a vulnerable person or in an emergency
The following facilities in the Perth, Peel and South West regions will need to close:
- Schools, universities, TAFEs and education facilities
- Pubs, bars and clubs
- Gyms and indoor sporting venues
- Playgrounds, skate parks and outdoor recreational facilities
- Cinemas, entertainment venues, and casinos
- Beauty therapy services, parlour or salon including hairdressers, barbershop, nail salon, tattoo parlour, spa or massage parlour
- Large religious gatherings and places of worship
- Libraries and cultural institutions
People will be required to stay at home unless they need to:
- work because they can’t work from home or remotely;
- shop for essentials like groceries, medicine and necessary supplies;
- medical or health care needs including compassionate requirements and looking after the vulnerable
ATMS will continue to monitor further announcements in WA and will issue further advice as required. |
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