Download the Chief Health Officer's advice on the use of public transport (PDF) or continue to read the advice below.
Western Australia is making good progress in controlling the spread of COVID-19. With effective border controls, contact tracing, quarantine and social distancing measures in place, we currently have very few active cases and no evidence of community spread.
As some of the restrictions put in place are gradually eased, so that more in our community can return to education and work, essential services like public transport will support that return. I am confident that the use of public transport can be done safely during this phase of the COVID-19 response if simple measures are taken to limit the risks associated with exposure to and spread of COVID-19.
Public transport providers are continuing to take important steps to ensure public safety, including increased environmental cleaning (particularly those frequently touched surfaces), timetabling all available vehicles during periods of peak demand and encouraging passengers to socially distance themselves as much as possible.
Maintaining staff and community safety in the use of public transport is everyone’s responsibility. When using public transport, I encourage you to practice good hygiene. Public transport should not be used for travelling if you feel unwell.
Other measures you can take to protect yourself and the community include hand hygiene (including the use of an alcohol-based hand sanitiser when you don’t have access to somewhere to wash your hands), not touching your face, covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, or coughing or sneezing into your upper sleeve or elbow. The wearing of masks is not recommended if people are healthy.
You may also consider downloading the COVIDSafe app, which will help us continue to ease restrictions while keeping Australians safe by finding and tracing COVID-19 in the community.
If the advice above is practiced, and with no current evidence of community spread in Western Australia, there is low risk of exposure to COVID-19 when using public transport.
Thank you for playing your part in stopping the spread of COVID-19, as we work together to keep our families and our frontline staff safe.
Dr Andy Robertson
Chief Health Officer
18 May 2020