West Australian Premier Mark McGowan has not ruled out delaying the reopening of borders because of the Omicron coronavirus variant.
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The premier says he will await further information at Friday's national cabinet meeting before committing to a firm date for rejoining the nation.
WA's double-dose vaccination rate is expected to reach 80 per cent in coming days, with a specific reopening date to be set after that point.
Mr McGowan has flagged the borders will reopen in late-January or early-February when the vaccination rate is expected to reach 90 per cent.
But he equivocated on Thursday when asked if the emergence of the Omicron variant could result in the reopening date being pushed back.
"I don't know the answer to that," he told reporters.
"No doubt at national cabinet tomorrow, we'll get further briefings on that and that will be something we take account of.
"I don't have a crystal ball ... it may be that Omicron is no different to the other strains but we just need to wait and get more information on that."
Mr McGowan pointed to reports of a "massive increase" in hospitalisations in South Africa, where Omicron has now become the dominant strain.
Experts are still assessing the severity of the new strain.
The Australian Medical Association has urged WA's governments to look at using specific hospitals to treat COVID patients to reduce the spread of infection once the virus re-enters the state.
But the premier suggested this would be unworkable given WA's vast size.
"Let's imagine you catch COVID in Halls Creek, you're extremely sick," he said.
"Do we then say 'you can't go into a hospital in the Kimberley'? No. So these are the sorts of things the health system will have to work through."
Once the borders reopen, face masks must be worn in high-risk indoor settings including public transport, hospitals and aged care facilities.
Proof of vaccination will be required to attend large events with crowds of more than 1000 people as well nightclubs and the casino. Entry to remote Indigenous communities will remain restricted and contact registers will still be used.
Should WA fail to reach its 90 per cent target before the borders reopen, further restrictions will be introduced which could include having to be vaccinated to go to pubs and restaurants.
"They'll be heavily directed towards people who are unvaccinated," Mr McGowan said.
"Already we have rules about where they can travel, where they can work .. if we don't get to 90 per cent, the restrictions on the unvaccinated will be significantly more (onerous)."
Australian Associated Press
