Aldi alcohol sign baffles as state's new Covid rule starts

An Aldi shopper in Western Australia was confused over a sign stipulating they could buy groceries from the checkout without showing proof of vaccination — but not alcohol.

A photo of the sign was snapped at a Perth store by the Twitter user, confused over the messaging.

"I can buy groceries at Aldi, but must be vaccinated to take a bottle of wine through the same register….science," they wrote, alongside the picture.

New rules introduced for the unvaccinated

The sign baffled some shoppers, however liquor reetailers are required to follow the public health order as bottle shops are part of WA’s proof of vaccination list.

From Monday, January 31, people in Western Australia aged 16 or older must show proof of double-dose vaccination in order to enter all hospitality venues, including restaurants, cafes, pubs, bars, and fast-food outlets for dine-in customers.

The rule also applies to visitors to public and private hospitals, and aged care facilities; indoor entertainment venues, including play centres, gaming and gambling; theatres; concert halls, museums, cinemas and live music venues; major stadiums; gyms; fitness centres and health studios; amusement parks and the Zoo; and music festivals and large events with more than 500 people, unless exempt.

Teachers and other education staff are also required to be double-dose vaccinated to work in schools as children return to school on Monday.

Lack of boosters key reason for WA borders not opening

Western Australia followed other states in Australia and reduced the gap between second and third vaccine doses to three months, which came into effect overnight.

WA is the last jurisdiction to reduce the waiting period, which Premier Mark McGowan attributed to capacity issues at state-run vaccine clinics.

The premier has cited the need to improve WA's booster rate, currently at 34 per cent, as a key reason for delaying the reopening of borders.

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On Friday, Mr McGowan announced a revised definition of a 'close contact', but it will come into effect when the state reaches a "high caseload".

At that point, positive cases and their close contacts will only need to isolate for seven days, rather than 14, unless they remain symptomatic.

The premier did not provide a threshold for the "high caseload", saying existing definitions would remain in place for now despite growing Omicron case numbers.

WA reported 12 new local cases on Monday, all are linked to known clusters.

with AAP

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