Based on the latest health advice, the Northern Territory will transition from ‘very low risk’ to ‘low risk’ border controls under Western Australia’s controlled border effective from 4pm today (November 16).
The ‘low risk’ setting for Northern Territory means travel is only permitted on the following strict conditions:
- be double dose vaccinated (for eligible people);
- present for a COVID-19 test on arrival (within 48 hours) and on day 12;
- self-quarantine for 14 days in a suitable premise;
- complete a G2G Pass prior to arrival, stipulating they do not have any COVID-19 symptoms and which jurisdictions they have visited in the previous 14 days;
- land arrivals to be met at the border checkpoint for a health screening and to have their G2G Pass checked before proceeding to their self-quarantine.
Anyone who arrived in WA from the Northern Territory on or after the November 10, 2021 and has been at the listed venues, at the specified times between November 10 and 4pm on November 16, is required to self-quarantine for 14 days and be tested immediately (within 48 hours) and at day 12.
Anyone from the Northern Territory, including Darwin, Robinson River and Katherine areas, who did not visit the venues and has arrived between November 10 and 4pm on November 16 is advised to get tested if they develop any symptoms or are experiencing any symptoms, even mild, that could be related to COVID-19, and quarantine until they return a negative test.
It is important that recent travellers from the Northern Territory familiarise themselves with the latest exposure sites, as contact tracing continues to uncover more sites, which can be viewed here: https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/stay-safe/case-location-alerts-and-close-contacts
The WA Chief Health Officer will continue to monitor and review border controls.
WA’s border arrangements are enacted under the Emergency Management Act and failure to follow these directions will be enforceable by law, with penalties ranging from $1,000 infringements to up to $50,000 fines for individuals.
More information on WA’s controlled borders is available at https://www.wa.gov.au
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
“The situation in the Northern Territory is very concerning, it has evolved quickly and as such, on the latest health advice, we need to upgrade our border controls to keep WA safe.
“WA’s border controls have been effective in protecting Western Australians and keeping COVID-19 out of the community.
“These border adjustments may be inconvenient for travellers, however, they’re vital in ensuring we keep the virus out until we reach our 90 per cent vaccination target.
“It’s so important that if you’re feeling unwell, please ensure you stay home, get tested and quarantine.
“These border controls work but they won’t be around forever and that is why vaccination is our long-term protection and our way through this pandemic.
“I urge all Western Australians, from everywhere across our great State, to get vaccinated. This virus is real and if unvaccinated you not only put yourself at risk, but your whole community.”
As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:
“We must heed the health advice and always be vigilant when it comes to COVID-19.
“Under our expert health advice, as previously announced, people travelling from ‘low risk’ jurisdictions must have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, unless exempt. This brings ‘low risk’ jurisdictions in line with the requirement for ‘medium’, ‘high’ and ‘extreme risk’ jurisdictions, which has been in place for some time.
“Follow all the COVID-safe principles in testing, quarantining, and ensuring we check-in using SafeWA when we’re out.
“The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective, and I implore everyone to get vaccinated to protect themselves, their families, their communities and WA.”
