WA coronavirus restrictions: Premier Mark McGowan announces eased rules for Perth and Peel

Premier Mark McGowan has announced eased restrictions for Perth and Peel from midnight tomorrow, with masks only required on public transport and at large events.

Mr McGowan announced the eased restrictions after all 115 close contacts linked to the security guard from the Pan Pacific Hotel were tested, and returned negative results.

Those close contacts remain in quarantine.

WATCH THE PRESS CONFERENCE IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

“Masks will now only be required on public transport, or at events or venues with more than 1000 people,” the Premier said.

They will also be required in hospitals, disability and aged care facilities.

“This is a significant relaxation on the wearing of masks which can be done safely and based on health advice,” Mr McGowan said.

“This also means high school students will no longer be required to wear masks.

“Masks will also no longer be required at gyms or other fitness venues, or at work. I know how frustrating and annoying it can be to wear masks so thank you to everyone for doing the right thing during this period.”

The eased restrictions come into effect from 12.01am on Saturday.

The interim restrictions are scheduled to remain in place for at least seven days, until Saturday, May 15.

They will be reviewed over the course of next week.

From Saturday, May 8, people will be able to host up to 100 people in their homes.

Nightclubs and the casino will reopen, subject to the 2sqm rule.

Major stadium capacity will return to 75 per cent, but masks will be mandatory at Optus Stadium, RAC Arena and HBF Park.

However, restrictions are being tightened on travellers coming from NSW, where two positive cases have been recorded.

WA will not introduce a hard border with the State, but all incoming travellers that have been to a hotspot within NSW must self-quarantine for 14 days.

“I've been advised that so far, we’ve had no arrivals into Western Australia who’ve been linked to any of the exposure sites,” Mr McGowan said.

“That is welcome. But we must remain vigilant. We hope New South Wales can get on top of this outbreak quickly.”

The Premier said he expected “many would welcome” the relaxation of restrictions.

“It strikes the right balance given the ongoing unknowns associated with this global threat, and where we want to go as a community,” he said.

Mr McGowan earlier revealed there were no new community cases again for WA with three new cases among overseas arrivals in hotel quarantine.

WA has 28 active cases. Of those, 27 are in quarantine and one is in hospital.

There are currently 1819 people in quarantine hotels in WA.