Damon Mcknight
Western Australia has experienced COVID-19 cases and outbreaks throughout the pandemic, with the state confirming its first case on 21 February 2020 and its first death on 1 March. The COVID-19 response in Western Australia has included measures such as border restrictions, lockdowns, and mask mandates. While there are currently no specific rules requiring self-isolation for those who test positive, health authorities recommend staying home for at least 5 days and taking precautions to protect others. As of July 2025, Western Australia has experienced rising case numbers and ongoing outbreaks, with the most recent wave starting in December 2021.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First case of COVID-19 | 21 February 2020 |
| First death due to COVID-19 | 1 March 2020 |
| Declaration of a state of emergency | 15 March 2020 |
| Closure of borders within Western Australia | 1 April 2020 |
| Closure of state borders | 4 April 2020 |
| Last case of unknown community transmission in 2020 | 11 April 2020 |
| No new cases of COVID-19 | 19 April 2020 |
| Elimination of community transmission | Mid-April 2020 |
| Outbreak due to a tourist | Late December 2021 |
| Full reopening of borders | 5 February 2022 |
| End of State of Emergency | 4 November 2022 |
| Self-isolation rules | None, but strongly recommended to stay home for at least 5 days |
| Face mask rules | Not mandated, but may be required in high-risk settings |
| Travel rules | None |
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What You'll Learn
Western Australia's first COVID-19 case
As of 23 October 2024, there are no COVID-19 rules in Western Australia requiring individuals who have tested positive to self-isolate. However, it is recommended that they remain at home for at least five days or until their symptoms disappear. Although face masks are not mandated in Western Australia, they may be required in high-risk settings such as hospitals, aged care, and disability care facilities.
Western Australia's first case of COVID-19 was reported on 21 March 2020. A woman in her 50s had returned from Iran, via Bali, on a flight to Perth on 1 March. She was asymptomatic when she arrived in Western Australia, but she began to experience flu-like symptoms a few days later. She presented herself at a hospital in Perth and was isolated while being tested for the virus. The test came back positive, and she was transferred to another hospital for treatment. At the time, Western Australia's Premier Mark McGowan announced new measures to prevent the spread of the virus, including increased border controls and mandatory self-isolation for anyone who had been in contact with the woman.
The first case sparked concerns about the potential spread of the virus in the community, and authorities worked to trace the woman's contacts and urged anyone who had been in similar locations to monitor themselves for symptoms. Western Australia had previously managed to avoid any cases of COVID-19 due to its remote location and strict border controls. However, with the confirmation of the first case, the state activated its emergency response plan and began implementing additional measures to control the spread of the virus.
As the number of cases increased globally, Western Australia faced the challenge of preventing community transmission and protecting its vulnerable populations. The state government introduced various public health measures, including social distancing guidelines, capacity limits for gatherings, and enhanced hygiene protocols. These measures aimed to slow down the spread of the virus and prevent a sudden surge in cases that could overwhelm the healthcare system.
The first case of COVID-19 in Western Australia marked a significant turning point in the state's response to the pandemic. It triggered a shift from prevention to managing the spread within the community. The experience gained from this initial response helped shape the state's strategies for dealing with subsequent outbreaks and waves of infection. By the time the State of Emergency was lifted in November 2022, Western Australia had made significant progress in controlling the virus and adapting to the new reality of living with COVID-19.
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COVID-19 restrictions in Western Australia
As of 23 October 2024, Western Australia's State of Emergency and the Public Health State of Emergency have ended. There are currently no COVID-19 rules or declarations in place in Western Australia. However, it is recommended that individuals take personal responsibility to protect themselves and others from COVID-19. This includes staying home if you have cold or flu-like symptoms, wearing a mask when necessary, and staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations. While it is not mandatory, individuals who test positive for COVID-19 are strongly recommended to self-isolate for at least 5 days or until their symptoms subside, and to avoid visiting high-risk settings such as hospitals.
The use of face masks is not mandated in Western Australia, but it may be required in high-risk settings such as hospitals, aged care, disability care, and other medical facilities. Face masks are an effective way to limit the spread of COVID-19 and protect oneself and others. There are no COVID-19 requirements for travellers entering or departing Australia, including no proof of vaccination or testing needed.
Previously, Western Australia had implemented a range of restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19. On 15 March 2020, a state of emergency was declared, followed by restrictions on gatherings, school events, and interstate travel. Western Australia closed its borders on 24 March 2020, and implemented regional border restrictions within the state on 1 April 2020, successfully eliminating community transmission by mid-April 2020. During this time, people coming from overseas were required to self-isolate for 14 days.
In January 2021, a lockdown was imposed on the Perth, Peel, and South West regions due to a positive case in a quarantine hotel. This lockdown affected approximately 2 million people and resulted in the cancellation of events, venue closures, and mandatory face masks in public. Western Australia's swift introduction of restrictions has been credited with keeping case numbers low.
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COVID-19 border policies in Western Australia
Western Australia has had some of the toughest COVID-19 border controls in the world. The state closed its borders to the rest of Australia on 24 March 2020, and on 1 April 2020, the state implemented borders between regions, restricting travel between regions to essential services only. Western Australia's swift introduction of restrictions kept case numbers low, and by mid-April 2020, the state had eliminated community transmission of COVID-19.
On 23 June 2021, Western Australia reinstated a hard border with NSW due to the growing Bondi cluster in Sydney. For border entry, special exemptions and 14 days of quarantine were required. On 27 June, restrictions in the Perth and Peel regions were tightened after a woman tested positive for COVID-19. She had visited a known COVID-19 hotspot in Sydney on 19 June, returned to Perth on 20 June, and tested positive on 26 June.
Western Australia's tough stance on border closures led to it being dubbed a "hermit kingdom". The state premier, Mark McGowan, said the tough policy had "avoided needless deaths", but he acknowledged the pain felt by separated families and businesses. On 3 March 2022, after almost two years, Western Australia lifted its border controls, allowing double-vaccinated international and domestic travellers to enter. By this time, Western Australia had been cut off from the rest of the country and the world for almost 700 days.
As of 4 November 2022, Western Australia's State of Emergency and the Public Health State of Emergency have ended, and there are no COVID-19-related declarations or rules in place in the state. The Australian Government does not currently have any COVID-19 requirements for travellers entering or departing the country. Face masks are also not mandated in Western Australia, although they may be required in high-risk settings such as hospitals and aged care facilities.
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COVID-19 transmission in Western Australia
Western Australia (WA) confirmed its first case of COVID-19 on 21 February 2020, and its first death on 1 March. On 15 March, a state of emergency was declared, and on 24 March, Western Australia closed its borders to the rest of the country. By mid-April 2020, the state had eliminated community transmission of COVID-19, becoming one of the few places in the world to do so. The low case numbers were attributed to the swift introduction of restrictions, a strict state border policy, and the region's isolation.
However, in late December 2021, a tourist caused an outbreak that led to the cancellation of some New Year's Eve events and the re-imposition of mask-wearing rules in Perth and the Peel region. On 13 December 2021, it was announced that Western Australia would fully open its borders to COVID-19 vaccinated individuals from interstate and overseas on 5 February 2022, but the reopening was delayed. An unvaccinated French backpacker who had flown to Perth from Queensland tested positive for COVID-19 after attending several large social events, leading to 21 local cases being linked to those events as of 5 January 2022. In response, masks were mandated in all public indoor settings and on public transport, some music festivals were cancelled, and nightclubs were closed.
During May 2022, Western Australia experienced a sharp rise in cases, with the highest per capita rates seen anywhere in the world throughout the pandemic. The state's COVID-19 response measures included designating Perth Stadium as the incident response centre and implementing regional border restrictions to allow only essential services. On 1 May 2021, a guard at the Pan Pacific quarantine hotel in Perth tested positive for COVID-19, raising the possibility of another lockdown. Anzac Day commemorations were cancelled, and a flight between Auckland and Perth was cancelled. The lockdown ended on 26 April, with some restrictions remaining in force for the next four days.
As of 4 November 2022, the State of Emergency and the Public Health State of Emergency in Western Australia ended, and there are currently no specific rules or declarations in place relating to COVID-19. While there are no requirements to self-isolate after testing positive, it is strongly recommended to stay home for at least five days or until symptoms subside. Face masks are not mandated but are encouraged in high-risk settings such as hospitals and aged care facilities. There are also no COVID-19-related entry requirements for travellers entering or departing Australia.
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COVID-19 mask mandates in Western Australia
As of April 2022, Western Australia had eased some Covid-19 restrictions but remained the only state to enforce wide-ranging mask mandates. WA required face coverings to be worn in all indoor public venues. However, as of February 2024, while the use of face masks is not mandated in Western Australia, you may still be required to wear a mask in high-risk settings such as hospitals, aged care and disability care facilities, or other medical facilities. Public hospitals, healthcare settings, and high-risk settings may have face mask policies for employees and visitors. Face masks are recommended for all patients, visitors, and employees in public hospitals and healthcare settings.
From November 2023, staff and patients were required to wear surgical masks in high-risk public hospital clinical areas, including haematology, oncology, organ transplant, and renal dialysis, and around vulnerable patients in critical care settings like intensive care units.
The Western Australian government recommends that people continue to protect themselves and others from COVID-19, including staying home if they have cold or flu symptoms, wearing a mask as needed, and staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations. While there are no rules requiring self-isolation after testing positive for COVID-19, it is strongly recommended that individuals stay home for at least five days or until their symptoms subside, and take steps to protect others.
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Frequently asked questions
Western Australia has had COVID-19 cases since the first case was confirmed on 21 February 2020. The state had eliminated community transmission of COVID-19 by mid-April 2020, but there have been subsequent outbreaks. Western Australia experienced sharply rising cases in May 2022, with some of the highest per capita cases seen anywhere in the pandemic.
The first case of COVID-19 in Western Australia was a man who was evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship and flown to Darwin on 21 February 2020. He tested positive and was then flown to Perth, where he was isolated at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. He died on 1 March, becoming the first death from COVID-19 in the state.
Western Australia's low case numbers have been attributed to swift government responses, including the introduction of restrictions, strict state border policies, and the state's isolation. Regional border restrictions were implemented, and travel between regions was limited to essential services. A state of emergency and a public health state of emergency were declared, and there were lockdowns with mandatory face masks in public and restrictions on gatherings.
As of 4 November 2022, there are no COVID-19-related declarations or rules in Western Australia. There are no requirements to self-isolate if you test positive, but it is recommended that you stay home for at least 5 days or until your symptoms subside. Face masks are not mandated, but they may be required in high-risk settings such as hospitals and medical facilities.
Currently, there are no COVID-19 vaccination, testing, or quarantine requirements for travellers entering Western Australia, regardless of their origin.
