The premier is facing growing pressure to reveal when WA will abandon border closures as other states and territories cement their own plans.
Perth radio 6PR has reported WA will rejoin the rest of the nation on February 1, triggering an eight-week period of restrictions including venue capacity limits.
Mr McGowan is refusing to narrow the timeline other than to say it will be after the summer school holidays and in the first half of the year.
"Those decisions haven't been made," he told reporters on Thursday.
WA's business community has urged the government to provide certainty amid ongoing labour shortages and declining confidence in the regions.
The premier has countered that argument by saying retailers and hospitality businesses are better off being able to operate without restrictions over Christmas.
WA's borders are open to travellers from Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory but the resumption of widespread domestic travel in coming months could prompt a return to isolation for the festive season.
Mr McGowan said he made no apologies for remaining cautious as Victoria on Thursday recorded 1923 new local coronavirus infections and 25 deaths.
"The lesson out of Victoria today is we're not out of this yet," he said.
"We need to continue to be careful."
Mr McGowan has promised to provide further clarity on the state's reopening plans once WA's full vaccination rate exceeds 80 per cent.
The premier last week outlined mandatory vaccination requirements for most of the state's workforce, including a January 31 deadline which would coincide with the end of the school holidays and potential reopening of borders.
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