Easter will be extra sweet for WA’s struggling hospitality sector after the WA government announced a raft of changes to COVID-19 public health measures from midnight Thursday, including lifting the 500-patron limit on licensed venues.

Premier Mark McGowan also said limits on private outdoor and home gatherings would be gone, with WA to also align with the national definition of close contacts but WA’s mask wearing mandate will remain.

Only household members and intimate partners of positive cases – or someone who has had more than four hours cumulative contact with a case in a residential setting without wearing a mask – will need to isolate, meaning more school students in class and people back at work.

“Schools will no longer have to or no longer need to contact trace classrooms or equivalent contacts when school resumes,” Mr McGowan said.

The Premier said change was possible because hospitalisations were down on predictions and the number of people in ICU also remained below predictions. SafeWA check ins will no longer be required, except in hospitals.

Contact registration will only be required at hospitals, and RATs on arrival will no longer be required for international and domestic travellers. However, arrivals at Perth Airport will still be provided with a free RAT.

McGowan’s announcement came after WA recorded 7426 new cases overnight.

There are now 215 people in hospital and four are in intensive care, with 39,591 active cases across the state.

Wednesday’s figures also include two historical deaths recorded on April 4; a man in his 90s and another in his 30s.

Press PLAY below to hear what other changes in WA will take place