Western Australia COVID-19 updates
This page contains the latest updates and information for pharmacists in Western Australia.
For nationally relevant information visit PSA’s dedicated COVID-19 web page.
As Western Australia public health measures ease following a recent COVID-19 outbreak, enhanced public health measures are currently in place in:
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Metropolitan Perth
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Peel
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Masks remain required indoors and outdoors (including public transport). Exceptions: vigorous exercise, in a car with only people you live with & medical exemptions
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Public and private gatherings limited to 20 people
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Hospitality venues can reopen for seated services with 4sq.m rule. Casino, nightclubs and fitness venues must remain closed
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Schools will reopen. Secondary school students and staff will be required to wear masks.
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People travelling outside the region must wear a masks. This includes any person who has been in Perth/Peel region since 17 April.
From 12.01am Saturday 1 May until 12.01am Saturday 8 May, the following restrictions apply:
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Masks remain required indoors and in crowds (e.g. sports arenas, public transport etc.). However, masks will no longer be required in other outdoor environments where social distancing can be maintained
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Home gatherings will be limited to 30 people
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Elective surgery will resume. Some visitors will be permitted to hospital facilities
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All businesses and venues can reopen. Universities can return to on-site learning
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Continue to discourage stockpiling of masks and medicines
- Be aware of current and updated public exposure sites
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Continue to wear masks at work and ensure patients and consumers wear masks
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Direct anyone with symptoms, or people who have been to exposures sites to COVID-19 testing centres
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Offer contactless services to anyone who is required to self-isolate, such as telehealth and delivery options
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Actively communicate revised restrictions to your patients, colleagues, family and friends – including via social media
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Enforce compliance with SafeWA QR Code scanning at community pharmacies
Read the latest COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) Bulletins and Agency advisories
In relation to the Perth, Peel and South-west lockdown, the Medicines and Poisons Regulation Branch issued the following advice on 2 February 2020, which continues to remain current:
- Special arrangements for supplying prescription medicines, including use of ‘digital images’ of prescriptions, were put in place at the beginning of the pandemic. These measures are still in effect and detailed information is available on the COVID-19 information for health professionals section of the WA Health website (click on Clinical guidelines and scroll down to pharmaceutical).
- Electronic prescriptions are now also an option, including when consultations are conducted via telehealth.
- Requests for additional repeats and multiple packs of Schedule 2 and 3 medicines
Pharmacists are reminded of the advice about dispensing limits and sales of over the counter medicines. These requirements are intended to ensure there is an equitable supply of medicines for everyone.
- Contact registers and use of the SafeWA app required at all retail premisesThe changes to the requirements for contact registers and use of the SafeWA app have been fast-tracked and are now in effect. As retail premises, pharmacies must provide their SafeWA QR code and a paper-based register for customers to complete.
- Masks for pharmacy staff and people entering the pharmacy without a suitable maskPharmacies can still order masks via the WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) Practice Assist website.These masks are distributed on a priority basis and are intended for pharmacy staff and any customers who need to wear a mask when at the pharmacy and who do not have a suitable mask with them.These masks are not for retail sale by the pharmacy. Masks for retail sale must be accessed via usual wholesalers.
Department of Health guidance for pharmacists
Further WA Department of Health advice is available:
- WA Controlled Interstate Border requirements (13 January 2021)
- Regulatory advice for community pharmacists during COVID-19 ~ (23 Apr 2020)
- Testing Criteria for SARS-CoV-2 in Western Australia ~ (17 Apr 2020)
- Changes to rules for prescriptions during COVID-19 ~ (9 Apr 2020)
- Use of digital images for supply of medicines during COVID-19 ~ (9 Apr 2020)
- Advice for patients about obtaining ongoing supplies of medicines without a current prescription during COVID-19 ~ (1 Apr 2020)
- Advice for pharmacists supplying medicines to patients during COVID-19 ~ (1 Apr 2020)
- Guidance for community pharmacies ~ (1 Apr 2020)
- Public health emergency order – Pharmacist Supply on a Digital Image
- WA Health ease prescription difficulties during COVID-19 ~ (26 Mar 2020)
- Pharmacy update – WAPHA/PHN ~ (25 Mar 2020)
- Clinician Alert #15
The current testing criteria in the WA can be found here.
Testing Criteria for SARS-CoV-2 in Western Australia (17 Apr 2020)
| Metro | 08 9222 8588 / 1300 MCDCWA (1300 623 292) |
| Goldfields | 08 9080 8200 |
| Great Southern | 08 9842 7500 |
| Kimberley | 08 9194 1630 |
| Midwest | 08 9956 1985 |
| Pilbara | 08 9174 1660 |
| South West | 08 9781 2350 |
| Wheatbelt | 08 9690 1720 |
| After hours/on call | 08 9328 0553 |
As of Thursday 2nd April, the testing criteria for COVID-19 will be expanded significantly at all COVID clinics.
General Public Testing
Any person presenting to a COVID clinic with BOTH a documented fever (≥38°C) AND an acute respiratory infection (e.g. shortness of breath, cough, sore throat) will be tested.
High-Risk Staff Testing
Anyone working within a high-risk setting that presents to a COVID clinic with EITHER a fever (≥38°C) OR an acute respiratory infection will be tested. This includes healthcare workers (including aged care and disability workers) and WA Police Officers.
High-Risk Settings
Testing will also be arranged for anyone from the following high risk settings where two or more people are experiencing EITHER a fever (≥38°C) OR an acute respiratory infection:
- Aged and residential care
- Rural and remote Aboriginal communities
- Detention centres
- Correctional facilities
- Boarding schools
- Military barracks or equivalent
- Geographically localised areas with increased risk of community transmission
- Cruise ship passengers or returned travellers (international and domestic).
Patients who are tested should remain isolated at home, until they receive their test results and further medical advice.
Who should avoid?
Do not attend unless you have symptoms AND meet the above criteria, including documented evidence.
People presenting at COVID clinics may be infectious.
People who don’t have symptoms and evidence will be turned away and asked to self-monitor for symptoms.
When and where
8.00 am to 8.00 pm daily
- Armadale Health Service – Ground Floor, 3056 Albany Highway Mount Nasura
- Fiona Stanley Hospital – Bedbrook Row, north-eastern end of hospital, Murdoch
- Joondalup Hospital – Car Park P4, Regents Park Road
- Rockingham General Hospital – Elanora Drive Cooloongup
- Royal Perth Hospital – Ground Floor, Ainslie House, 48 Murray Street, Perth
- St John of God Midland Hospital – Yelverton Drive Midland
- Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital – C Block, Hospital Avenue, Nedlands
10.00 am to 4.00 pm daily
- Bunbury Health Campus – 30m left of the main entrance,
More information – Healthy WA COVID Clinics page
| PHN | Phone | Website | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perth North | 08 6272 4900 | info@wapha.org.au | www.wapha.org.au |
| Country WA | 08 6272 4900 | info@wapha.org.au | www.wapha.org.au |
| Perth South | 08 6272 4900 | info@wapha.org.au | www.wapha.org.au |
If you have any queries or are looking for the latest, up-to-date advice regarding COVID-19 in your state or territory, please contact your local PSA office.