The Western Australian Government Pandemic Plan has been updated to respond directly to the potential impacts of COVID-19.
The Pandemic Plan, which was last updated in 2014, sets out arrangements for protecting the community and minimising potential impacts of the coronavirus, and recovery afterwards.
Sustained community transmission of the virus will signal an imminent pandemic and the State Government will continue to take the best advice from health authorities in assessing the situation here in WA.
The Plan ensures the Government will continue to deliver essential services and outlines roles, responsibilities and actions to prevent, prepare, respond and recover from a pandemic, providing practical guidance and advice for government agencies, private businesses, the community, households and individuals.
This Plan also considers potential health, community, social and economic impacts, ranging from demands on the health care system to pressures on workplaces, businesses and law and order, disruption to community events and gatherings and demands on goods, services and supplies.
The Plan supports a suite of specific health and emergency management plans including the State Hazard Plan – Human Biosecurity, which is managed by the Department of Health and includes detailed arrangements for managing and responding to a pandemic.
These are further supported by legal and emergency powers the State Government is able to exercise if needed to further protect the community.
Currently WA’s emergency management is at the ‘response’ stage, in line with the National Communicable Disease Plan.
Members of the public can telephone the COVID-19 Health Information Line on 1800 020 080 for advice and find more information, including specific clinic locations, by visiting http://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au
The Western Australian Government Pandemic Plan is available at http://www.wa.gov.au/covid19
The full media release can be found on the Government of Western Australia’s website.