Update

Last updated: 9 May 2022 1:08pm

As this is an emerging situation, the following information is accurate at the time of publication and may change without further notice.

This page has been established to provide relevant information regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus) for the Shire of Esperance Community.

The Shire of Esperance is committed to the health, wellbeing and safety of our staff and community. COVID-19 is a growing concern so we are following the advice of the Australian and WA State Government and Western Australia Department of Health to ensure the safety and well-being of our staff and community.

It’s important we all continue to look out for and support each other and continue to keep our community safe.

Staying Informed
The best place to stay informed on COVID-19 pandemic, including updates, alerts and resources, is to visit the Australian Government's Department of Health and the Healthy WA website.
If you are concerned about COVID-19, you can call the WA COVID-19 Hotline on 132 68 43 or the national Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080 for advice. 

For the latest updates, directive and decisions around the WA Roadmap, community, travel and business and industry advise please visit wa.gov.au.

Disclaimer — read before continuing

The information contained on this site is provided in good faith. It is to the best of our knowledge, reliable and accurate at the time of publication. The reader is solely responsible for assessing the veracity, usefulness and application of this information as it applies to them. 

FAQs

What is the Shire doing in response to the situation?

It is our priority to keep you, our staff and the local community safe. The Shire of Esperance is working to WA Government directives and will continue to change this as we go along this journey. 

The Shire is monitoring and responding to the COVID-19 situation according to the Australian and Western Australian Government’s direction.

Stay Informed – COVID-19 Information

The best place to stay informed on COVID-19, including updates, alerts and resources, is to visit the Healthy WA and Department of Health website.

If you are concerned about COVID-19, you can call the WA COVID-19 Hotline on 132 68 43 or the national Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080 for advice. 

Public health measures to ease from Friday, 29 April 2022

Thanks to the efforts of the WA community, public health and social measures will ease from 12:01am, Friday 29 April, as Western Australia’s soft landing through the Omicron wave has been secured. Based on the latest health advice, WA reached its COVID peak four weeks ago. With hospitalisation rates, intensive care units, and COVID-19 infections lower than anticipated, public health and social measures can safely ease.
 
The following will take effect from 12.01am, Friday 29 April:

Masks

• No longer mandatory except for high risk settings for people aged 12 years and older (including year 7s) in the following settings:
• on public transport, in taxis and rideshare vehicles and other passenger transport
• airports
• hospitals, residential aged care and disability service facilities, and correctional facilities.
• Masks are encouraged where physical distancing isn’t possible.

 

Close Contacts

• Close contacts with no symptoms are not required to isolate for 7 days, but must:
  • undertake a daily Rapid Antigen Test
  • wear a mask when leaving the house,
  • avoid high-risk settings, including hospitals, healthcare settings, disability and aged care facilities, and correctional facilities
  • work from home, where possible
  • avoid non-essential gatherings and contact with people at risk of severe illness
• They should also notify their employer/educational facility of their close contact status.
• Close contacts with symptoms must continue to isolate until symptoms resolve and get tested as per existing protocols.
• If a close contact tests positive, they must isolate for a further 7 days as per arrangements for positive COVID-19 cases.

 
Density and capacity limits

• The 2 square metre rule removed for venues and businesses
• Capacity limits removed for all entertainment venues, stadiums and events

 

Proof of COVID-19 vaccinations

• No longer required to enter venues and businesses
• Still required to visit hospitals and residential aged care facilities
• Mandatory workplace vaccination requirements will remain in place.

 
Travel

• G2G Pass registration no longer required
• Triple dose vaccination no longer required for interstate arrivals
• Double dose vaccination requirement for international arrivals will continue as per Australian Government requirements
• Unvaccinated Australian international arrivals to continue to quarantine for 7 days
• Travel to remote Aboriginal communities remains restricted.

 

Hospitals

• Two visitors permitted per patient per day
• Essential visitors are also allowed at hospitals for compassionate reasons, birth partners, carers/parents/guardians etc.
• Visitors are required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccinations and wear a mask.

 
Residential Aged Care and Disability Care Facilities

• Two visitors permitted per resident per day
• Masks must be worn by staff and visitors indoors and outdoors
• Visitors are required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccinations.

 

COVID Safety and Event Plans

• No longer mandatory but still encouraged

 

School and Early Childcare

• Remaining public health measures in place removed
• Some preventative measures retained in schools including enhanced ventilation, mandatory vaccination and cleaning
• 12 million free RATs provided to all schools and childcare facilities to distribute to parents and carers
• Parents and students will be encouraged to collect tests, to ensure they are ready to test their children if symptoms develop.

Updated: 27 April 2022

Preparing for COVID in the WA Community

There are many things we can all do now that can help make a big difference in the future to prepare for COVID in the community.

Support person

Arrange for a family member or friend to be your support person, should you get COVID. Ask them to call you twice a day at agreed times so they know you are okay.

This support person will help keep you safe.

If they cannot contact you at the agreed times, tell your support person to check on you at your home. If they cannot raise you, they should then call 000.

Home essentials

If you do not have these essentials, discuss your options with your support person.

• Face masks, hand sanitiser and gloves
• Pain relief medication and electrolytes (available from your pharmacy)
• Your regular medications
• Thermometer
• Pulse Oximeter (optional) to measure oxygen levels in your blood and heart rate, which can indicate the severity of infection
• Should you need to go to hospital, you will need a plan to look after your children, pets, or people in your care
• How you will get food delivered? Will it be through a supermarket or can your support person help?
• Ensure you have the phone numbers for people you can call if you need help
• Make sure you have activities to keep you entertained

For more information and answers to some frequently asked questions, visit Healthy WA - Preparing for COVID.

Shire of Esperance Facility and Services FAQ's

If I’m not double vaccinated can I wear a mask and enter the facility?

All patrons will need to be double vaccinated to enter Shire facilities and sporting stadiums.                        

Can I drop off my children for swimming lessons?

Conditions of entry still apply with children under the age of 10 requiring direct supervision at all times.

Will my Bay of Isles Leisure Centre memberships/swimming lessons be refunded?

Swimming lessons can be credited to next term, if this not practicable refunds can be completed. Memberships will be refunded and no fees applied for cancellations and suspensions.

Will I need to show proof of vaccination each visit?

For the first weeks you will be requested to show proof of vaccination prior to entering the facility. Processes are being put into place so that patron’s proof of vaccination status is recorded.

Close Contact 

A close contact is:

• a household member or intimate partner of a person with COVID-19 who has had contact with them during their infectious period,
• someone who has had close personal interaction with a person with COVID-19 during their infectious period, where they spent 4 hours of cumulative contact with them in a residential setting (including a home, residential care facility, boarding school, maritime vessel or other accommodation facility) in any 24-hour period where masks have been removed by both people during the period of contact
• someone who is informed by WA Health that they are a close contact.

 

Infectious period

The infectious period is taken from 48 hours before onset of symptoms, or 48 hours before the positive test result, if they do not have symptoms, until the end of their isolation period. For example, if they first tested positive on Wednesday afternoon, their infectious period started on Monday afternoon.

Visit Healthy WA for further information on what to do if you’re a close contact, quarantine requirements and if you are a critical worker.

Updated: 27 April 2022

 

Testing and Isolation Protocols

The use of rapid antigen tests (RATs) forms part of the new testing and isolation protocols.

If you are a confirmed COVID-19 case, you must:

• Isolate at home for 7 days,
• If you have no symptoms after 7 days, then no further test is required, and you can stop isolating
• If you have symptoms on day 7, remain in isolation until those symptoms clear or get clearance from a medical professional before leaving isolation

Important: If you return a positive Rapid Antigen Test (RAT), you must register your result (external link) with the Department of Health.

If you test positive for COVID-19, you will receive an SMS from WA Health. There is a link in the SMS that will take you to a web page with more information and a number of questions.

The questions will ask if you have visited any high-risk locations or need COVID-19 Care at home. These questions will help WA Health to continue to protect people at high risk of getting sick from COVID-19.

You do not need a negative COVID-19 result to leave isolation and go back to work if you have completed 7 days of isolation since testing positive, and no longer have symptoms.

• A person may still test positive after the 7 days because they can shed the virus. They are not contagious.

 

What is a close contact?

A close contact is defined as:

• a household member or intimate partner of a person with COVID-19 who has had contact with them during their infectious period,
• someone who has had close personal interaction with a person with COVID-19 during their infectious period, where they spent 4 hours of cumulative contact with them in a residential setting (including a home, residential care facility, boarding school, maritime vessel, or other accommodation facility) in any 24-hour period where masks have been removed by both people during the period of contact
• someone who is informed by WA Health that they are a close contact.

 

I am a close contact with symptoms

This protocol will help you if you are a symptomatic close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

• Take a PCR test or RAT within 24 hours of becoming a close contact
  • If positive – follow positive case guidelines
  • If negative, continue to isolate until symptoms resolve and get tested as per existing protocol
• If you took a RAT, take another RAT in 24 hours
• Take a PCR test on day 6 or RAT on day 7:
  • If positive – continue to follow positive case guidelines
• If negative, you can leave isolation after day 7. Once you leave isolation, for the next 7 days avoid visiting healthcare, aged, residential care facilities (including disability care facilities and mental health residential facilities) or correctional facilities, unless authorised by the Chief Health Officer or in an emergency. In this case, you must advise a relevant officer prior to attending or as soon as possible upon your arrival. Workers at those facilities can enter under strict conditions.
• Once symptoms have resolved, close contacts who are not cases should follow the protocols for ‘I am a close contacts with no symptoms’ (see below) for the balance of the 7-day isolation period.
• If a close contact tests positive, they must isolate for 7 days after their positive test result and follow the requirements for positive COVID-19 cases.

 

I am a close contact and have no symptoms

This protocol will help you know what to do if you are a close contact but have no symptoms. You should follow this protocol for 7 days from the date your household contact tests positive to COVID-19.

Close contacts who do not have symptoms can leave their place of isolation if they:

• Take a RAT and obtain a negative result on each day they would like to leave isolation (note: you must be able to provide evidence of the negative RAT result taken than day if requested by a relevant officer)
  • If positive – follow positive case guidelines
  • If symptoms develop, follow symptomatic close contact guidelines
• Wear a mask at all times outside of the home (the usual exemptions apply, including for children under 12)
• Avoid high-risk settings, including hospitals, healthcare settings, aged care facilities, residential care facilities (including disability care facilities and mental health residential facilities) and correctional facilities, unless you work at these locations. In case you visit high-risk settings due to an emergency, you must advise a relevant officer prior to attending or as soon as possible upon your arrival. Workers at those facilities can enter under strict conditions.

 

Close contacts who do not have symptoms are strongly encouraged to:

• avoid non-essential gatherings and contact with people at risk of severe illness
• work from home, where possible
• notify their employer, educational facility or early learning centre of their close contact status.

 

Note: Relevant workers entering high risk settings are subject to additional obligations:
Close contacts with no symptoms who work in a high-risk setting must also:

• advise their employer they are a close contact
• seek confirmation from their employer to attend work
• monitor for symptoms
• immediately leave the workplace and return home if they develop symptoms or become COVID positive
• only enter or remain at the high-risk setting for the purposes of their work duties
• wear a surgical mask while at work along with any PPE requirements from their employer
• not share break areas at work with any other person
• maintain physical distancing.

 

Visit Healthy WA for more information on:

Who is most at risk of COVID-19
What does a COVID-19 PCR test involve?
and more.

Updated: 3 May 2022

Tourism Business Support

On Thursday 10 February 2022, the WA Government announced a $77 million Safe Transition Industry Support Package for sectors significantly affected by the delay to a full border reopening as a result of the Omicron variant.

This package includes support for eligible businesses in the tourism sector, designed to support the cash flow of businesses and partially offset some of the additional costs or lost revenues as a result of the adjusted border reopening.

The Package includes:

• $20 million Tourism Support Program to provide immediate assistance comprising $10,000 to sole traders and $20,000 to employing businesses to offset expenses incurred in preparation for the initially scheduled full border opening.
• $15 million Tourism Deposit Refund Program to provide assistance of up to $50,000 to eligible tourism businesses that have refunded deposits from some cancelled interstate and international bookings.
• $3 million Travel Agent Support Fund offering grants of up to $10,000 for eligible home-based businesses and $20,000 for eligible brick-and-mortar businesses. 

Eligibility

Operators will only be eligible to apply for one of the programs below. Guidelines, application forms and open dates will be available soon.

$15 million Tourism Deposit Refund Program

Eligible businesses that have refunded interstate and international deposits on bookings as a result of changes to border control measures from February 5 may be eligible for funding to support half of their total refunds, up to $50,000.

• To be eligible reduction of 30 per cent in forward bookings over the period 5 February to 5 May 2022 (or an alternative 3 month period for seasonal businesses); and
• Have accreditation as tourism businesses or membership of a recognised tourism organisation with an ABN;
• Have business premise located in WA; and
• A turnover greater than $50,000.

 

$20 million Tourism Support Program

This program is for expenses incurred by eligible tourism businesses in preparation for the border reopening. Sole traders may be eligible for one-off payment of $10,000 under this program, or $20,000 for employing businesses.

This program will support those operators that do not take bookings or deposits, and/or have primarily walk-in booking arrangements.

To be eligible businesses need to:

• Demonstrate a minimum reduction of 30 per cent in turnover between 2019 and 2021;
• Have accreditation as tourism businesses or membership of a recognised tourism organisation with an ABN;
• Have business premise located in WA; and
• A turnover greater than $50,000.

In preparation, operators are encouraged to source the following information in readiness for submitting their application:

• Financial statements from 2018-19 and 2020-21
• Determine the amount and type of expenses incurred by your business in preparation for the anticipated border opening on the 5 February 2022
• Bank statement clearly identifying account name, BSB and account number.

$3 million Travel Agents Support Fund

This program involves grants of:

• $5,000 for eligible home-based businesses without staff and earned commissions/margins of between $25,000 and $50,000;
• $10,000 for eligible home-based businesses with staff and at least $25,000 of commissions/margins or without staff but commissions/margins above $50,000; and
• $20,000 for eligible brick-and-mortar businesses.

To be eligible businesses need to:

• Demonstrate a minimum 30 per cent reduction in turnover between 2019 to 2021;
• Be a registered travel agent with ABN; and
• Be a small business that is WA based.

 

Updated: 11 Feb 2022

Information for Travellers

Travel to WA

This page provides important information about regional, interstate, and international travel and arrivals to WA. This includes advice on controlled border arrangements, hotel quarantine, suitable premises for self-quarantine, and the G2G Pass and G2G Now process.

International travellers intending to enter WA are subject to strict conditions of entry. See the International arrivals and Leaving WA sections for more information. 

• Interstate arrivals
• International arrivals
• Entering WA from New Zealand
• Regional Travel
• Interstate transport, freight and logistics drivers
• Leaving WA

Information from the WA State Government. 

G2G Pass

Information and frequently asked questions about the mandatory G2G Pass registration and declaration to enter WA

G2G Pass

 

Markets & Events

For up to date information on Market and Events, visit the COVID-19 Event Plans Frequently Asked Questions.

Physical Distancing and Hygiene

Remember to:

• wear a face mask  
• practise physical distancing (keep at least 1.5 metres or two arms lengths from each other)
• practise good personal hygiene (wash hands often with soap and water, or hand sanitiser and cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use your elbow)
• stay home if unwell and if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, get tested for COVID-19
• use the SafeWA or Service WA app (external site)

If you need help with translating the information on these sites, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.

Call the coronavirus (COVID-19) information helpline on 13 COVID (13 26843) (Interstate callers: 1800 595 206. International callers: +61 8 9118 3100.)

For more information and resources visit Healthy WA or Australian Government. 

What support is available to the Business Community?

The Australian Federal Government and Western Australian Government have announced measures to support small business during this challenging time.

For details on these measures please visit the Small Business Development Corporation website.

Food Businesses

A priority of the Shire of Esperance is to ensure that safe food is sold from local businesses. The Environmental Health Officers monitors all food business and has visited businesses recently offering suggestions to create a safer workplace in this current environment. A new Food Safety Tips for Take Away and Food Delivery information flyer has been developed to help during this time.

Accommodation providers

We will have visitors to the region who will need to self-isolate in accordance with government protocols. These people will need support and care. Should your business be in the situation of accommodating these guests, the WA Department of Health has issued an advisory flyer to assist in managing the matter.

What can I do to support my community?

You can help keep WA safe by checking in at businesses and venues using SafeWA, or by leaving your details on a contact register.

Find out about current restrictions, financial help, health and wellbeing, travel advice, how you can help small business and the WA Government's response.

Small business needs your business

Small businesses across Western Australia are the lifeblood of our communities, and right now they need your business to keep them going during this difficult time.

Look local

Look for shops that are still open in your local area, and consider how you can change your shopping habits to help them out. For example, could you do your regular shopping with a small business? Take a look around your neighbourhood you may just find your new favourite local shop, café or grocery store.

Ask “Do you do deliver?”

A number of businesses are now offering delivery or pick-up services. If you are looking to buy something from a small business, contact them to see if they can bring it to you, or offer a contactless pick-up or drop-off. And remember to keep 1.5m from other people where it is practical.

Get creative

Many of us have more time on our hands, and it could be a time to pick up a new hobby or get working on a creative project. There may be local craft suppliers that can help you get started and give you the inspiration to get going. Some online stores may be closer than you think.

Keep an eye out for the arts

A number of artists and musicians are using creative ways to bring their art to you, such as through online concerts and gallery showings, as well as new collaborations with other businesses. Look out for ways that you might be able to buy tickets to an online show, purchase their merchandise or pick up a new work to help support the arts industry.

Car or bike due for a tune-up?

For many of us that are working from home, it may be an ideal time to get your car serviced. Some local mechanics and service centres are offering to pick up and drop off your car, and will wipe down the key surfaces before they return it to you. If you don’t have a car, consider if it is time to get your bicycle serviced to keep it in top condition.

Call in the trades

As we are spending more time at home, you may have noticed that there is more that needs to be done around the house. It is still possible to get a plumber, carpenter, handyman or other tradie to do jobs around your house, just make sure that you adhere to the physical distancing rules. They will be thankful for your business.

Catch up with a good book, puzzle or game

Now might be the ideal time to make it through that book that you’ve always wanted to read, pick up a puzzle or get some new board games to help the hours inside pass quicker. You may even get a new recommendation for a book or game that becomes your new favourite.

Time to hit the road

Take this time to explore WA, booking local accommodation and supporting our local and regional small businesses. If you are still unable to attend the tours or other activities you had booked, do those operators a favour and postpone rather than cancel your booking. A number of small businesses will be able to hold your payments as a credit to book at a later time.

Tech support

If you are now working from home and having computer troubles, your nearest technical support for your computer may be closer than you think. Look local and see if there is a small computer shop or technician that may be able to help fix your issues fast.

Show your support on social media

Another way you can help local businesses is to follow, like and share their Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or other social media posts. This helps let others know that they are still operating, and you just might come across some great offers or discover new products. Best of all, it doesn’t cost you a thing!

Are Council Meetings still proceeding?

The Shire of Esperance is committed to delivering for our community.

Ordinary Council Meetings will be held in the Council Chambers and in accordance with the Shires COVID Safety Plan and social distancing protocols.

Ordinary Council Meeting are now live streamed and can be viewed here.

Should I see a doctor for a non-coronavirus issue or put it off?

If you are unwell, please call your doctor. Each clinic will have protocols in place and can advise you.

Stay Informed - COVID-19 information

The best place to stay informed on COVID-19, including updates, alerts and resources, is to visit the Department of Health website and the Healthy WA Website.

If you are concerned about COVID-19, you can call the WA COVID-19 Hotline on 132 68 43 or the national Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080 for advice. 

How do I contact the Shire of Esperance?

You can contact the Shire Administration via:

• Phone - 08 9071 0666
• Email - shire@esperance.wa.gov.au
• Or send us a message here

• Lifeline – 13 11 14
• Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800
• Beyondblue – 1300 22 4636