The state opposition has called for WA’s borders to reopen on or before March 5, citing concerns about waning immunity in the community.
The state opposition has called for Western Australia’s borders to reopen on or before March 5, citing concerns about waning immunity in the community.
Premier Mark McGowan has been criticised for indefinitely delaying the previous February 5 opening date, with executives from Wesfarmers and other senior business leaders opting to move interstate temporarily.
Lobby groups have warned the delay will exacerbate a skills shortage.
The opposition parties have generally been in lockstep with the state government on COVID-19 restrictions since being badly burned by prematurely calling for reopening in winter 2020.
Opposition leader Mia Davies highlighted health concerns, particularly about immunity, as key to her message in a press conference today.
Ms Davies said the state needed a balanced approach, not one based on polling.
“On our assessment having read the chief health officer’s advice, listened to the health experts, and the growing concerns that were being raised in the business community, we think any later than the 5th of March will be putting Western Australians at serious risk,” she said.
“When you read the chief health officer’s advice, he points quite clearly to the fact that there will be a waning immunity for those that were boosted early.
“Our vulnerable, our health workers and service workers.”
An expected serious flu season would add to the pressure in hospitals if reopening was delayed further, she said.
Ms Davies also said the border was hampering recruitment of healthcare workers.
WA Liberal leader David Honey said there was uncertainty in the community about the reopening plan.
He said the government's delay might be a popular decision, but it would put lives at risk.
"We know that 81 per cent of COVID deaths are people over 70," Dr Honey said.
"By early March, the chief health officer said, over 90 per cent of that cohort will be vaccinated.
"We also know that the booster dose wanes over a period of about five weeks and starts to decline dramatically.
"If the premier delays the opening of the state to the middle of the year, we're going to have waning effectiveness of the vaccine for that most vulnerable group."
Modelling from the University of Western Australia matches that understanding of the chief health officer's advice, he said.
