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, follow guidance for confirmed cases, including to stay home  until your COVID-19 symptoms have substantially resolved (usually 5 to 7 days).
• 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 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

• 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.
• 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. 

• Limit the number of visitors in your home.
• Gather outdoors if possible.
• Open windows and doors to ventilate your home (external site) and 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 (external site), with proper HEPA filters, to reduce the number of viral particles in the air.

COVID-safe travel

• 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 experience COVID-like symptoms while travelling, get tested as soon as possible.
• You can return home via private transport if you are well enough to travel, but you should wear a mask and minimise stops or contact with others.
• If you are not well enough to return home safely, stay at your accommodation and away from others. You may need to book a longer stay in your holiday accommodation, cancel or reschedule flights or other travel bookings, and claim travel insurance.

Additional tips

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

• At home: ask guests to stay home if they have any COVID-19 symptoms or are a close contact; encourage guests to perform a RAT and use hand sanitiser prior to entering your home; do not share cups and utensils or serve finger food; avoid physical greetings such as handshakes, hugs and kisses; and gather outside or open windows to bring in fresh 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.
• At work: 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.