Coronavirus and your Business » Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley

Coronavirus (COVID-19) and your business or workplace

On Sunday 11 May 2020, WA Premier Mark McGowan announce the Roadmap for easing restrictions in WA.

From 27 June restrictions will be further relaxed as part of Phase 4 of WA’s roadmap to recovery.

The WA Government Frequently Asked Questions Page provides very useful information about the WA Roadmap Phases.

What this means

Western Australia’s COVID-19 restrictions will be relaxed even further, as WA’s roadmap is updated to complete the removal of all restrictions.

Due to the world-leading response to COVID in WA, Phase 4 will start on Saturday, 27 June and the following will apply:

all existing gathering limits and the 100/300 rule removed
gathering limits only determined by WA’s reduced 2sqm rule
the 2sqm rule will only include staff at venues that hold more than 500 patrons
removal of seated service requirements at food businesses and licensed premises
no requirement to maintain patron register at food businesses and licensed premises
alcohol can be served as part of unseated service arrangements
all events permitted except for large scale, multi-stage music festivals
unseated performances permitted at venues such as concert halls, live music venues, bars, pubs and nightclubs
gyms operating unstaffed, but regular cleaning must be maintained
the casino gaming floor reopening under agreed temporary restrictions.

What businesses need to do

Businesses will need to ensure they understand the COVID Safety Guidelines and complete the COVID Safety Plan provided by the State Government.

The COVID Safety Plan and Guidelines are an essential part of ensuring that re-opening businesses don’t increase the risk of spreading COVID-19. Failure to complete a COVID Safety Plan may mean your business is putting the community at risk. Authorised Officers under the Emergency Management Act have the power to close premises and businesses that put the community at risk in this way.

From Saturday 27 June:

Businesses will no longer be subject to a defined venue capacity limit. The number of people that a venue can accommodate will be determined by the 2 square metres per person rule.
All other specific restrictions on venues or activities, such as seated service at pubs and bars, have been removed.
Major events are now permitted, except for large scale multi-stage music festivals. The maximum number of people that can attend an event is determined by the 2 square metre rule.
Large hospitality and event venues that can accommodate more than 500 patrons based on the 2 square metre rule will also need to include staff working in public areas in their 2sqm rule.

Download the COVID Safety Plan and Guideline below:

COVID Safety Plan
COVID Safety Guidelines

Information for small business

To help manage business disruption associated with COVID-19, the Small Business Development Corporation has put together a range of support information focused on the needs of small business owners.

Hospitality and Tourism

Food Businesses

Food businesses can now expand their dine-in capacity in line with the requirements below:

ensuring the 2 square metre rule is followed
completing or updating a COVID Safety Plan and having it available for inspection upon request by an authorised officer
displaying a COVID Safety Plan Certificate in a prominent location visible to patrons
ensuring all hospitality workers complete an online hygiene training course before they return to work.

All businesses need to do their part to comply with these requirements and help mitigate the risks of COVID-19.

COVID Safety Plans are an important part of ensuring that re-opening businesses does not increase the risk of spreading COVID-19. Failure to complete a COVID Safety Plan may mean your business is putting the community at risk. Authorised officers under the Emergency Management Act have the power to close premises and businesses that put the community at risk in this way.

For more information please see WA Government frequently asked questions.

COVID Safety Guidelines for your food business

COVID Safety Plan for your food business

Hospitality Hygiene Training

Mandatory Hygiene training

A mandatory AHA Hospitality and Tourism COVID-19 hygiene training program has been launched to prepare the hospitality industry for a return to business. This specialised training course will need to be successfully completed by every staff member employed at a hospitality venue — with businesses strictly only able to reopen when the requirements are met.

The course is two-tiered, with all staff required to successfully complete the first component, and managers and supervisors required to complete the second, more advanced aspect. Every venue must have a staff member with the more advanced accreditation on shift at all times, as the venue’s dedicated hygiene officer. 

Businesses will also have to display signage that the venue is compliant with all conditions. 

Existing social distancing regulations for hospitality businesses remain in place, with any future easing of restrictions dependent on expert health advice. 

Aquatic Facilities

Aquatic facilities are allowed to open with one person per 2 square metres, at any time; from Saturday 27 June.

Changerooms are also allowed to open, with the guideline of one person per 2 square metres.

All Aquatic Facilities are required to follow the COVID guidelines and complete the COVID safety plan below:

COVID Safety Guidelines - Sport and Recreation
COVID Safety Plan - Sport and Recreation

Accommodation Providers and Caravan Parks

The Department of Health WA has advised that Caravan parks and accommodation providers are able to operate as normal provided they comply with the COVID-19 emergency directions.

Shared communal amenities may continue to operate whilst all patrons adhere to social distancing measures.

It is recommended that posters are displayed throughout the parks to encourage social distancing at all times, along with an increased frequency in cleaning; particularly for high touch, common use surfaces. You can find some useful posters for display at the bottom of this page.