COVID-19 (coronavirus)

Coronavirus can cause a range of symptoms. These can range from mild illness to pneumonia. If you experience any of the below symptoms, no matter how mild, please get a COVID-19 test.

• Fever (≥37.50C) OR recent history of fever (e.g. night sweats, chills), without a known source
  OR
• Acute respiratory symptoms (including cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose)
  OR
• Acute loss of smell or taste

Every Western Australian needs to play their part to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

To stop the spread of coronavirus, everyone must:

• book in to receive your COVID-19 vaccination, or not yet eligible, register at rollup.wa.gov.au (external site) to be notified when you can book your vaccination
• practise good hygiene
• practise physical distancing
• stay at home if unwell
• know the limits for public gatherings.

How do I practise good hygiene?

• Wash your hands often and for at least 20 seconds, with soap and water or use hand sanitiser.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use your inner elbow. Throw the tissue in the bin immediately.
• Stay home if you're sick. Do not go to work or school.
• Clean surfaces and objects such as doorknobs, keyboards and phones regularly.

What is physical distancing?

• Keeping at least 1.5 metres or two arms lengths (minimum) away from others.
• Avoiding physical greetings such as handshaking, hugs and kisses.
• Using tap and pay instead of cash.
• Avoid large public gatherings and places where there are lots of people. Visit places at quieter times, or if you arrive and it is busy, leave and come back when the crowds have reduced.
• Do not visit others if they are unwell.

For more information about how to practise physical distancing at home, work, school or keeping in touch with others, visit the Australian Government Department of Health website (external site).

Should I wear a mask?

Face masks must be worn in certain settings.

Mask wearing is required in indoor settings in the Perth, Peel and South West regions.

Visit WA.gov.au (external site) to stay up-to-date with the latest news.

Masks are not necessary for children under 12.

You must wear a face mask at an airport, travelling on an aircraft, or transporting a person subject to a quarantine direction (e.g. in a personal vehicle, private car, hired car, ride-share vehicle or taxi). If you are under a quarantine direction, you must wear a face mask when you present for a COVID-19 test.

Stay at home if unwell and get tested

If you are feeling unwell or sick you must stay at home. Do not go to work or school. If you experience any of the symptoms listed in the “What are symptoms of COVID-19” section, no matter how mild, please get a COVID-19 test.

All people are at risk of infection, but some groups are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill. These groups include:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 50 years and older with one or more chronic medical conditions
• People 65 years and older with chronic medical conditions. See this page on the Department of Health website for more information
• People 70 years and older
• People with compromised immune systems.

In addition to the ways listed in the 'How can I protect myself against COVID-19?' section above, you could consider:

• having groceries and essential items delivered to your home
• having a chemist deliver your medicines to your home
• working from home if you are employed and this is an option at your workplace.

COVID-19 has affected our routines and way of life, which can have an impact on our health and wellbeing.

The latest advice and updates on COVID-19 for health and wellbeing including:

• mental health 
• food and nutrition 
• physical activity
• alcohol consumption
• smoking 
• injury prevention

For the most up to date information on travelling to WA please visit COVID-19 coronavirus: Travel to WA (external site).

Western Australia Controlled Border

• Everyone travelling to Western Australia who is issued a Controlled Border Direction (external site) will need to quarantine at a suitable premise for 14 days following arrival.
• If you have arrived in WA and have been given a Presentation for Testing Direction (external site) you will need to get tested for COVID-19 on day 12 of quarantine, unless otherwise directed by an authorised officer. Please refer to the Presentation for testing factsheet (external site).
• If you have arrived into WA as a high risk traveller (external site) please refer to COVID-19 Fact sheet for travellers from a high risk jurisdiction (PDF 174KB).
• If you have been issued a Transport, Freight and Logistics Direction (external site), please check the Direction for the testing requirements that apply to you. Please refer to transport, freight and logistics (external site) for more information.
• Download the G2G Now app (external site) to enable virtual quarantine checks.

International Border

Everyone travelling to Western Australia who is issued a Centre Quarantine Direction under the Emergency Management Act 2005 (external site) will need to complete a quarantine period of 14 days, which may include time in a state quarantine hotel at their own expense, unless otherwise directed by an authorised officer. Specific quarantine requirements will depend on individual circumstances. For more information please see Travel to WA (external site).

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

• WA Government: Get ready for WA’s transition (external site)
• Australian Government information on International Travel (external site)
• Australian Government FAQs for International travellers to Australia (external site)
• Department of Home Affairs COVID-19 and the border (external site)
• Smart Traveller website (external site)
• Coming to Australia – What I need to do before I travel (external site)
• Services Australia - how to obtain your International Vaccination Certificate (external site)

Quarantine

• If you are staying in a State Supervised Quarantine Facility please refer to Information for hotel guests (PDF 223KB) and COVID-19 Paying for hotel quarantine in WA FAQs (PDF 175KB).
• For more information on accessing support services whilst you are in quarantine or isolation please refer to Assistance for people in quarantine or isolation (PDF 84KB)

General information

• What are coronaviruses?
• What is the 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
• What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
• How is COVID-19 spread?
• Who is most at risk of COVID-19?

Protect yourself and others

• What can I do to reduce the spread of COVID-19?
• How do I practise good hygiene?
• Should I wear a face mask?
• What sort of mask should I wear and how do I wear one safely?
• What is physical distancing?

Testing

• When should I get tested?
• Should I be tested if I don't have symptoms (if I am 'asymptomatic')?
• Why won't I get tested if I don't have symptoms?
• Where can I be tested?
• I need to travel overseas to return home. Can I have a test to meet the entry requirements for the place I am returning to?
• Why is point of care serological testing prohibited in WA?
• Can I use rapid antigen tests in WA?
• How do I get medical clearance for work?
• Why do I need to stay in quarantine after my day 12 test?

Treatment

• What is the treatment for COVID-19?
• Is there a vaccine?
• How is COVID-19 diagnosed?
• What if I don't have Medicare cover?

Quarantine and isolation

• What does quarantine and isolation mean?
• When do I need to quarantine or isolate?
• What should I do if I need to quarantine or isolate in a hotel?
• I am in quarantine or isolation in a hotel. Can I move around the hotel?
• I am required to attend a COVID clinic as I am in quarantine but don’t have my own car to get there? Can I use a taxi or a bus?
• I am in quarantine/isolation, but have an appointment booked for a COVID-19 vaccination during this time. Can I still attend?
• What should I do if I am identified as a close contact of a person with confirmed COVID-19 infection?
• I have a person at home in quarantine/isolation what do I do with their linen?
• I am caring for someone who has (or could have) COVID-19, how can I protect myself?

Other

• Should I avoid contact with pets or other animals if I am sick?
• Can domestic animals infect people with COVID-19?
• Why is the Western Australian Government testing wastewater?
• How do I report a business or venue that is not maintaining a contact register?

View the coronavirus FAQ's (PDF 231KB)