WA will scrap its indoor mask mandate as Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson announced on Tuesday a return to baseline settings from 12.01am on Friday.

The relaxed rules mean masks will not need to be worn, except on public transport and in rideshare cars, at airports, correctional facilities, hospitals and other health care buildings, including aged care.

G2G requirements and third-dose vaccine requirements will be scrapped for state border entries, while close contacts of infected people will not be required to isolate unless they show symptoms.

New baseline settings from Friday April 29 include:

• – All capacity and gathering limits lifted.
• – No capacity limit on stadiums, events and community sports.
• – Blanket indoor mask mandate removed (except certain instances, like hospitals and public transport).
• No caps on indoor parties, gatherings or visits to the home

Sanderson (pictured above with WA Premier Mark McGowan, who has COVID and is in isolation) attributed WA’s “soft landing” to a high third dose rate, “well-timed public health measures” and the delayed border opening.

The significant easing comes as WA’s new daily case numbers dipped to 6711 cases on Tuesday, with the number of active cases at 44,305.

There were 249 West Australians with COVID in hospital and 11 of these in ICU, with eight deaths, including a man in his 80s on Monday.

The other seven deaths dated back to March 27 and comprised of a woman and man in their 70s, a woman and two men in their 80s and two men in their 90s.

Sanderson said harsher restrictions could be reinstated if a new strain emerged.

“We sincerely hope that situation does not come to pass,” she said.

Press PLAY below to hear the Health Minister announce the key changes from Friday

Press PLAY below to hear Oliver Peterson’s chat with the Australian Hotels Association WA CEO Bradley Woods.