Western Australia is getting ready to live with COVID when it begins to open its borders to interstate and international travellers from Saturday, 5 February. The Western Australian government has launched the Service WA app enabling people to demonstrate proof of vaccination, to check in with SafeWA and access G2G Pass for interstate travel.
Australian Hotels Association WA’s CEO Bradley Woods says, “As WA prepares to reopen in February and Omicron inevitably enters the community, we need systems in place that make compliance with the public place vaccine mandate as easy possible.
“SafeWA has served WA’s hospitality industry well, but as we enter the next phase of dealing with COVID-19, any mobile app must do more than simply checking patrons into venues.”
He believes that once it is set up and installed, Western Australians will quickly adjust to the Service WA app and benefit from a one-stop shop for all COVID-19 requirements.
“Importantly, people need to ensure that they set up the app well before venturing out to public venues where proof of vaccination is required. WA’s hospitality industry is desperately looking forward to the day when COVID-19 restrictions are just a memory, but in the meantime, we back measures which make life easier for staff to comply with Government requirements,” said Mr Woods.
Staff working in hospitality venues are already experiencing frustrations from a small minority of patrons opposed to the current requirements.
“Sadly, hospitality venues are reporting an increased number of patrons being argumentative and abusive with hospitality staff who are simply doing their jobs and it is completely unacceptable,” Mr Woods said.
“We have received reports of confrontations at venue entrances from those who refuse to wear a mask or provide proof of vaccination.
“WA’s hospitality staff go to work to provide hospitality and shouldn’t be subjected to abuse from people who have an axe to grind with the Government over COVID-19 restrictions.”
The Service WA App can be downloaded from:
