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West Australian Premier Mark McGowan is urging people to support local shops, cafes, restaurants and bars on the first day of eased COVID-19 restrictions, but the State is still recording thousands of new cases daily.

Masks are no longer required indoors, except in high-risk settings such as hospitals and on public transport, while venue capacity limits have also been lifted.

Mr McGowan said it was great for local businesses, tourism and hospitality but added people could still wear a mask if they wished at shops and other crowded places for an “extra layer of protection” from the virus.

“All we ask in this environment is people just use a bit of common sense,” he told reporters on Friday.

“We’re obviously not out of the pandemic yet, but obviously we can see the finish line, so we want to make sure as we get to that finish line we have a sensible approach to dealing with the pandemic.”

Mr McGowan said he hoped to be able to remove more restrictions in the future.

“I encourage all West Australians to get out, support your local businesses, your local cafe, your local restaurant, your local bar, your pub, or your retail outlet – please get out there and support them as much as you possibly can,” he said.

“A great many of them have done it tough over the course of the last two years and in particular over the last few months.

“I just asked people if you can support your local trader – just people trying to make a living – that would be great to do.

“I also encourage all workplaces to get their workforce back to work … we want to make sure the CBD of Perth continues to have the workplace there so those people will continue to support those businesses.”