Major gatherings on the cards as WA goes 160 days without community transmission

As we ease into warmer weather Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan wants to see major gatherings go ahead in his State, but in a COVID Safe way.

That is why, as of today, major events like festivals and community fairs will be permitted as long as they are approved by relevant health authorities and local governments.

COVID event plans and guidelines will be issued to organisers, tailored to support a base of more than 500 people.

The plans will identify public health measures to ensure the safety of patrons including physical distancing requirements of two square metres per person, hygiene and cleaning regimes, and staff management.

COVID event plans will not be required for events that form part of the usual business for places where there is an existing COVID-19 public building approval in place.

"There are so many fantastic events coming up or being proposed, and I'd like to see this go ahead in a COVID Safe way," said Premier McGowan.

"We want people to feel confident about going to their local community fair, or even a music festival, which up until now has not been able to occur.

"Under this new system, music festivals can now be assessed and could be approved pending assessment of plans by the Department of Health."

The announcement comes as WA has gone more than five months, or 160 days, without community transmission of COVID-19.

The state currently has three active cases of COVID-19, all of whom are in hotel quarantine.

Updated at 4.45pm AEST on 18 September 2020.