Two West Australian epidemiologists are calling for the state's border opening to be delayed to avoid a potential health "catastrophe" but, in a clear divide, key sectors of the economy warn any delay would be disastrous for jobs and businesses.
Dr Barbara Nattabi says it is time to reassess plans to reopen Western Australia's border next month. UWA epidemiologist Zoe Hyde said the reopening should be delayed to give children more time to get vaccinated, and the 90 per cent vaccination target should be based on three doses, not two. "We've known for a while [that] you need three doses to complete the primary course of these vaccines, and Omicron's made that crystal clear. I think getting third doses out to the majority of people is essential before reopening.
"Everyone has planned their family reunions, business bookings, recruited staff and ordered supplies, based on the government's own safe-transition plan," Mr Hall said.Tourism Council WA's Evan Hall says the state's businesses, including those in tourism, have been taking bookings and planning hiring and investment decisions around the February 5 date.
People's lives v's bank debt imaginary reality
👇 auspol
AlboForPM
When will the ABC refrain from targeting ALP states and focus on reporting on the Covid-19 issue at large federally? We are a nation, COVID-19 doesn’t distinguish between states and borders. The big issue is that we have a PM who has deserted us. auspol AlboForPM
Business will have reduced personnel because of COVID 🥴
WA has done well in the last 2 years. Opening still needs to be controlled and should only allow people who are triple vaxxed. Or who are bloody good tennis players.
Don’t listen WA, keep your borders closed. Atleast until the scomo is gone.
Whatever happens it is bad for business, closed boarders no workers or clients, open boarders no workers no clients. Going on the Eastern States I think we are better off and more of us alive closed! Support business, we have the bank roll!
Lols, the booming WA economy over the last two years has been absolutely horrendous for business
yo how's nsw's tourism going atm
Have a look at the disaster underway in NSW for a case study in why WA should not reopen before vaccination & booster rates are in the 90’s, and that restrictions cannot be safely lifted regardless of interstate travel.
Heed the lament from eastern business... Disaster if you let it rip
Business needs to look closely at what is happening in NSW. Staff shortages, everyone panicked & not going out. Hospital system under immense stress. Covid case numbers underreporting. Family reunions & tourism aren’t the right reasons to bloody mindedly open up on Feb 5th.
Letting it rip is worse for economies just look at spending in nsw or vic
Or, here’s a crazy idea, let people isolate if they have symptoms, don’t lockdown anything.
We’ve seen opening up like in Victoria, NSW, SA and Queensland have worse economic outcomes now than during the lockdowns. This article is objectively false, it is a lie, and should be investigated.
Oh come on - every other State is envious of WA. They’re living normal life.
MarkMcGowanMP don't do it. It does nothing to help the economy. Businesses are closed, workers are sick. Health care workers are screaming out for assistance, ambulances are being ramped, food and medical supply issues. Letting covid rip DOES NOT HELP THE ECONOMY. auspol ffs
Entry via road only. Nullarbor is a natural barrier. Covid checkpoints refuse entry if positive.
If you ever needed evidence that you don't require a brain to be a business leader, well here it is.
I wish WA well, the decision will be hard. It's Chaos on the ground here in the east. Just about everyone knows someone with this virus and even if not in hospital, there are lots of very sick people at home just waiting for a worsening of symptoms.
An out of control outbreak would be disastrous for business too. So either way, business is going to struggle but if we delay opening we can protect our health and safety and avoid putting as much pressure on the hospitals and HCW. It’s a no brainer really.
People were eating out a lot more prior to SA opening borders. Shortage of customers and staff are the result of letting Covid in.
The last two years have meant that we have had to change our plans at the last minute many times! Business can be put upon to make one more change, surely. For the good of the WA community!
Aussies demand Antivax Messiah Novak Djokovic treatment. No vax. No mask. No social distancing. No quarantine. No symptoms mean can work, give hugs & kisses.
They will run out if food far worse than the EastCoast truckies don’t want to go there it’s too difficult with the hoops they have in place AusPol
What is it with Australia’s politicians that they are so afraid of telling the truth? Dear WA, you must open because the Fed and State govts can no longer afford to keep them shut. People will get sick and they will die, and that really sux.
Such a stupid article from SkyABC WA only has to look at the Eastern states NSW and VIC to see how LetItRip have been disastrous to businesses
A bloke who runs a concreting business told me it would be a disaster for the construction industry.
As a business in sa and currently have covid, stay shut WA as we are having the worst Jan sales in years
Really ? Who thinks what is happening over east is 'good for business' .... like everything it may be good for SOME business and the end of others
Healthy people = a healthy economy ? Geez, you only have to look around and see what’s happening by opening up.
Do you even fact check or read the news?
Disastrous for business if we don't? Are you people for real? Haven't you been reporting how disastrous it has been for businesses on the east coast with the let it rip strategy? What misleading and false framing.
If the interests of Health & Medical Advice were the reason to close the boarders, then they should also be the reason to open them up again, that would be reasoned; if business superseeds this, WA may end up with stacked ICU, even more ramping, empty shelves and mass panic...
Health First and Stay Safe. West Australia under Mark Mac Gowan has shown the 'sensible way' - just look around at the rest of Australia. Surely, you do not want the eventual result of 'Pushing Through' also occurring there.
Fixed it - A potential health 'catastrophe' if we do, AND 'disastrous' for business if we do: WA is saying why would they destroy health AND business by opening up to omicron
Things have gone so well in the east when we listen to 'business' - don't make that mistake WA. Also, lol at mining lobby thinking this will ease labour shortages 🤣🤣🤣 - are you blind?
It’s the only city in the world walling itself off from the rest of the country. End this draconian behaviour so people can return home.
By February 5th a couple of million would of had Omicron already. I'm sure they can make their decision in early February as to what needs to be done.
Labour shortages and tourism downturn will be a lot worse if the borders open up too early. Look what is happening elsewhere.
As a Melburnian keep it closed!
Because business is faring so well in NSW atm....
McGowan needs to see that economies in the Eastern states that opened up are now going down the gurgler. He needs to stay strong & keep those borders shut tighter than a nun’s knickers.