Western Australian government announces lockdown for the unvaccinated and threatens it could be in place “for years to come”

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Western Australian (WA) government has announced a series of new restrictive measures against coronavirus, banning those who have not received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine from most public places and warning the unvaccinated that the rules “will not be removed anytime soon.”

In a Jan. 13 announcement, Premier Mark McGowan revealed that broad statewide restrictions on the unvaccinated would begin Jan. 31, introducing what he described as “the most comprehensive test of vaccination requirements in the nation.”

The prime minister claimed that using these “wide-ranging tests of vaccination requirements” will help curb the spread of Covid-19.

The premier said that utilizing “wide-ranging proof of vaccination requirements” will help to curb the spread of Covid-19 since “we have seen [it] work in other jurisdictions.”

McGowan’s assertion sharply contradicts data out of several countries that have introduced vaccines passes, like the U.K., which earlier this month reported record infections and higher Covid rates among vaccinated people in all age groups over 18 years old.

The vaccinated have likewise come to dominate Covid hospitalizations and deaths in the U.K. and other highly vaccinated European nations, as well as parts of the United States.

The introduction of the punitive and coercive measures comes even though 94.4% of those over 12 years of age in the region have received their first dose of the shots, and 87% have already taken their second. 18.1% of the eligible population had taken the third booster before the announcement.

Western Australia had already employed a requirement for proof of Covid vaccination status within its borders for what were considered “higher risk venues and events,” including gatherings where large numbers of people could congregate, such as music festivals.

Now, McGowan said, “we will expand the testing of vaccination requirements to a broader range of venues.”

“Beginning Monday, Jan. 31,” she continued, “the list of venues not available to those who choose to forgo inoculation will include public and private hospitals and elder care facilities, restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs, clubs, taverns, nightclubs, fast food and “all places of hospitality.”

“Roadhouses, service stations, and takeaways are exempt,” he said.

In addition, any hopes that the unvaccinated would be allowed access to entertainment venues were quickly quashed when McGowan announced that “gaming, gambling and gaming centers, theaters, concert halls, museums, movie theaters, and live music venues” will be off-limits to them.

Entry to liquor stores, significant stadiums, gyms, fitness centers, and health studios will also be reserved only for double-dippers, as will amusement parks, zoos, and “the entire Crown Perth complex,” a large luxury resort in the region. Double-dose testing will be required for anyone over the age of 16.

“Life will become tough for the unvaccinated…there will be no pubs, no bottling plants, no gym, no yoga classes, no concerts, no dance floors, no hospital or senior citizen visits,” the politician declared.

As things stand, to be considered “fully vaccinated,” Western Australians must prove they have received two doses of government-approved Covid injections; however, McGowan suggested this will not last long as more citizens are encouraged to take “the booster.”

“Our expectation is that to be fully vaccinated, the Commonwealth rules will say three doses, and once that happens, we will move to the three-dose rule in due course,” he said.