WA has recorded 258 new local cases of COVID-19 as an outbreak in a remote community continues to grow.
There were 263 new cases in total, with five linked to travel.
Among the new cases, 82 were the result of people self-reporting positive rapid antigen test (RAT) results.
There were also 11,563 people tested at PCR clinics in WA yesterday.
The state is now managing 1,315 active cases of COVID-19, three of which are in hospital but none of whom are in ICU.
There were two new cases linked to the remote community of Jameson near the WA border, taking the total cases there to four.
There are now 77 schools impacted by COVID-19 in the state.
As of 5pm yesterday 3,700 students and 400 staff had been forced to isolate so far this year as a result of COVID-19 protocols.
Omicron modelling to be released imminently
Premier Mark McGowan said Omicron-based COVID-19 modelling for WA would be released later today or tomorrow, saying it was still being "put together".
"As numbers of Omicron-positive people continue to rise, I would urge people to take it very seriously, and to get tested if they are unwell, feel like they have been to an exposure site, or show any symptoms," he said.
"So, please go and get tested while our PCR clinics still have capacity to do so."
WA has now reached a 58.3 per cent triple dose vaccination rate in the population aged 14 and older.
Cook invites Qantas CEO to WA for 'delicious humble pie'
Meanwhile, former Health Minister Roger Cook, who is now Tourism Minister, said he was confident there would not be many issues getting more flights into and out of Perth Airport once the border opens.
It comes after Qantas CEO, Alan Joyce, yesterday compared WA with North Korea again and apologised that late notice of WA's new border opening date meant there were fewer flights planned than there otherwise would have been.
Mr Cook said he would "leave the armchair critics on the east coast to their business".
"We know that when the passengers come back, the flights will be put on, at the end of the day Alan Joyce wants to make a profit," he said.
"And he knows that Western Australia, because it's such a strong economy, is an important profit centre for that company."
Tourism sector will not recover overnight: Cook
But Mr Cook conceded tourists may not come flooding in right away.
"Well, I don't think we're going to see an automatic overnight explosion of tourism anywhere in Australia," he said.
Asked what might trigger the state to move to 'level two' public health and safety measures, including the four-square-metre capacity limit, Mr Cook indicated it would depend more on hospitalisation figures than COVID case numbers.
"We really just need to see what our experience of the disease is as it starts to make its way into the community, we want to make sure that we understand what the level of hospitalisation will look like in this unique environment where we have such high vaccination rates," he said.
Premier hopes to avoid level two restrictions
Mr McGowan said the government was still "working up the details" of an assistance package for businesses affected by the 'level one' restrictions introduced on Monday.
"We've already announced three rounds of support for business from December to now," he said.
"There will be a further round and we expect to announce details shortly."
The Premier also said those restrictions would not be kept in place any longer than necessary and he hoped to avoid 'level two' restrictions.
"I can't give a time frame, obviously we will try and be as brief as possible, but there will be some ongoing restrictions for some months to come," he said.
"I'm pretty keen to avoid level two restrictions if we possibly can.
"If we can not go into level two restrictions that would be my preferred option but obviously that depends upon health advice."
But Mr McGowan said he believed the entire state would eventually go to level one measures.
Defamation court date delayed
Mark McGowan was due to give evidence this weekend in defamation proceedings against mining billionaire Clive Palmer.
The date had been set so the Premier's travel and subsequent quarantine would fit with the WA parliamentary schedule.
The court has now changed the date again and Mr McGowan's new court appearance in Sydney is scheduled for March 7, four days after the WA border opens.
But the Premier has said he will still undergo seven days of isolation when he returns.
He plans to leave only to travel to a 'secure telepresence room' in West Perth for a national cabinet meeting if a secure link cannot be established in quarantine.
"I'm the one who is held accountable for these things, I'm the one who is responsible for these decisions," Mr McGowan said.
"So, I'm just going to do the right thing so that there can be no argument that somehow this was constructed in order to assist me.
"I have to do that in order to set the right example."
Deputy Premier Roger Cook said he will likely "take the reins" and be acting Premier while Mr McGowan is away.
Clive Palmer had been due to address the National Press Club today but that was cancelled after the leader of the United Australia Party developed 'COVID-like' symptoms.
Premier's self-imposed isolation 'confusing': Opposition
The state's opposition Leader, Mia Davies, said Mr McGowan's plan to quarantine was a stunt.
"It sends a confusing message to the people of Western Australia and it's not necessary."
Ms Davies said the opposition would also use question time in parliament this week to see if WA's vaccine mandate was still a proportionate response.
"Especially when you think that the decision around proof of vaccination for bottle shops was dropped on Friday," she said.
"We've still got venues that are policing proof of vaccination requirements in our hospitality and dining venues.
"It's adding to the cost of their business, it's causing great concern in the community and we're calling on the Premier to make sure that whatever mandates we have in place are proportionate and reasonable."
