What Does WA’s New COVID Restrictions Mean for Students?

Here's where you do and don’t have to wear a mask.

After 10 months of normality, Western Australia received a big reality check on Sunday when a security guard tested positive to the highly contagious UK strain of coronavirus.

So, for the last five days, about 2 million West Aussies have spent their time indoors or with a mask glued to their faces after the state government imposed a short and sharp lockdown period to stop any further community spread of the virus.

Even the first week of the school year was cancelled, with school holidays being extended.

Thankfully, there is light at the end of the tunnel. After five days of zero community cases, Perth peeps should be out and about again, provided nothing goes wrong before 6pm AWST tonight.

Despite the lockdown rules coming to an end soon, it doesn’t look like we’re completely out of the water just yet. At about 8:80pm AWST last night, WA Premier Mark McGowan addressed the state with an update on what rules are to follow once we reach 6pm AWST tonight.

So, if you’re a student and you aren't sure what the go is with classes next week, we’ve got all the deets to end your confusion.

Is the lockdown officially over?

Yes, provided we don’t encounter a hitch this afternoon, the lockdown is set to end at 6pm. But, that doesn’t mean the end of restrictions altogether.

If you live in the South West, life will return to normal as it was before the lockdown, with no restrictions except for travel in and out of the Perth and Peel regions.

For everyone else in the metro Perth and Peel areas, from 6pm tonight you will be able to leave your house for non-essential reasons but you will not be able to leave the region.

There will also likely be general rules about physical distancing and minimising contact when you go to public places or the shops, so be sure to keep that in mind when you head out tonight.

Provided everything goes smoothly over the next few days, the extra restrictions and rules will end at 12.01am on 14 February, at which point things can basically go back to normal.

Will school finally start?

Thanks to the lockdown, the new school year was postponed a week, meaning students got a cheeky extra week of holidays before packing their bags for the new year.

Whether or not you were excited to go back to school, the reality is that kindy, pre-primary, primary and secondary education are going back on Monday, 8 February.

It isn’t clear yet whether the lost week of school work will be made up or if things are set to start as originally planned.

While the regular semesters for TAFE and universities haven’t yet started, any current staff or students will also be able to return to campus on Monday.

When and where do I need to wear a mask?

One of the biggest rules to come out of this lockdown is the requirement to wear masks whenever you’re outside of your home. But when it comes to schools, what’s the go?

Basically, any teachers, staff and high school students are required to wear a mask at all times. Primary school students do not have to wear a mask but if you’re in primary school and feel more comfortable wearing a mask, let your teacher know.

Outside of school, you are required to wear a mask if you're over the age of 12 and not at home.

Of course, uni and TAFE students, teachers and staff are also required to wear a mask on campus.

When it comes to eating and drinking, the state government has said to take a "common sense" approach. So, while you’re eating food or having a drink you may take your mask off, but when you are done you will need to put it back on.

Can I have my mates over? 

With the lockdown over, lots of young people will be looking forward to spending the weekend with their pals.

While you technically can have your friends over, make sure that everyone is comfortable and stick to the restrictions on private gatherings. For now, private gatherings both indoors and outdoors can host up to 20 people, so you won't be allowed to throw any big birthday parties over the weekend (soz).

The state government is also encouraging everyone to wear a mask if you have friends over or you go to someone else’s house, but authorities admit that it cannot be enforced. So as the Premier says, use your common sense.

What other rules do I need to know?

Aside from wearing a mask, social distancing and sanitising your hands pretty much anywhere you go, you will also have to comply with the state government's contact tracing system.

In WA, the state government has set up the ‘SafeWA’ app in which users scan a QR code at venues that they enter.

Since Tuesday, there have been some pretty tough rules imposed on people who refuse to provide contact details, so make sure you or your fam check in for you with the code or sign up to register.

Header Image: Daniel Pockett via Getty Images