Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
Health
Aaron Bunch

WA back to school plan,18 COVID-19 cases

Premier Mark McGowan said two of WA's new local COVID-19 infections are not linked to other cases. (AAP)

Western Australia has reported 15 new local COVID-19 cases and rolled out its back to school plan to keep students safe while learning.

Air purifiers, carbon dioxide monitors, face masks and extra cleaning will help protect students, Premier Mark McGowan says.

Classes resume on Monday with school staff required to have proof of two vaccine jabs followed by a third dose within a month of becoming eligible.

Hand sanitiser will also be made available at schools with students and teachers ordered to physically distance when possible.

"All this contributes to ensure schools will be as safe as possible for students," Mr McGowan told reporters on Tuesday.

"It also allows for a degree of flexibility with the ability to hold classes in alternative settings."

Remote learning will made be available for students forced to quarantine, with hard copy learning packs and online lessons.

A "flying squad" of more than 5000 replacement teachers will be available to take the place of staff who become affected by the virus and unable to work.

Mr McGowan said the health restrictions could be "boosted" if there was a large-scale COVID-19 outbreak in WA.

"We want students, parents and staff to feel confident when class resumes next week," he said.

It comes as WA's vaccination rates continue to climb with 96.7 per cent of people aged over 12 given their first dose and 89.5 per cent double dosed.

About 28 per cent of West Australians have received three doses of a COVID-19 vaccination.

Of the new cases, two are unlinked to other cases and two infected people have been admitted to hospital with one in intensive care.

There were also three cases detected among quarantined travellers.

WA reported 13 new local cases on Monday, 24 on Sunday and seven on Saturday.

About 10,000 people were tested for the virus on Monday.

Meanwhile, Mr McGowan said all of WA's 900 public education facilities had been inspected to check the ventilation and over 12,000 air purifiers had been rolled out to classrooms.

About 1,500 classroom CO2 monitors have also been delivered.

School staff and secondary students (year 7 and above) will be required to wear face masks in Perth, the Peel region and the WA's southwest.

This will be extended to year three and above if the state's case numbers grow.

Regular school visitors will also need to show proof of double dose vaccination and get a booster when they become eligible.

"But the best thing parents can do in the coming days is to make a booking for their children to get vaccinated," Mr McGowan said.

"Vaccines are safe and effective and offer the best protection for our children."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.