Bars and restaurants in Western Australia will remain subject to a two square metre rule under the state government's latest COVID-19 roadmap update, but some seated venues will be allowed more patrons.
WA will delay moving beyond its internal phase four COVID-19 restrictions - meaning hospitality venues will have to adhere to the two square metre rule for potentially another two months.
But from Saturday, theatres, concert halls, cinemas, amphitheatres, comedy lounges and performing arts venues will no longer be subject to the rule and will instead be allowed to hold up to 60 per cent of their usual capacity.
The venues are deemed low risk because their events are seated and ticketed.
"While WA has had no community spread for more than six months, the chief health officer has made it clear the risks around us pose a serious threat to our state and there are still concerns over the border arrangements of other states," Premier Mark McGowan said on Monday.
"We need to stay the course just a little longer."
Phase four restrictions have been in place since June 27, allowing venues to reopen and most West Australians to largely resume life as normal.
Mr McGowan said chief health officer Andy Robertson had recommended phase four continue for another two months.
But he said the government would not set a tentative date for phase five and would instead continue to review the health advice.
"We've come so far and it's more important than ever that we don't get complacent and take a risk that we will all regret," he said.
WA has gone six months without any community spread of the virus.
No decision had been made on when the state's interstate borders will reopen despite the number of cases continuing to fall in the eastern states.
"When the health advice indicates that we have a roadmap out, obviously we'll release that," Mr McGowan said.
