The Chamber of Commerce and Industry Western Australia (CCIWA) says businesses have been given some confidence knowing there will be a reluctance to use lockdowns once state borders reopen.

The Premier confirmed Western Australia will reopen its border to international and interstate travellers on Saturday, February 5 at a press conference on Monday.

CEO of the CCIWA Chris Rodwell says the industry are “just thankful for a date”.

“We can’t understate how difficult it has been for certain elements of the business community,” he said on 6PR Mornings.

“It’s great that the economy has performed well, lockdowns only had to be used on a handful of occasions.

“But there are businesses that are impacted by acute skill shortages.

“We are 55,000 workers short at the moment … so it’s critical we get some skilled migration in”.

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