Following updated advice from the Chief Health Officer, Premier Mark McGowan has announced that, from tomorrow (12.01am Tuesday, December 8), travel from Victoria and New South Wales will be classified as ‘very low risk’, as previously announced.
Western Australia’s controlled interstate border will be safely adjusted, with travel from Victoria and New South Wales to be permitted into WA with the following conditions:
- completion of a G2G Pass declaration, stipulating they do not have any COVID-19 symptoms and which jurisdictions the traveller has been in over the previous 14 days;
- all Perth Airport arrivals to undergo a health screening and temperature test on arrival;
- travellers to be prepared to take a COVID-19 test at the airport COVID clinic, if deemed necessary by a health clinician (voluntary asymptomatic testing available for all airport arrivals);
- all travellers to receive a SMS health check reminder one week into their stay in WA; and
- land arrivals to be met at the border checkpoint, for a health screening and to have their G2G Pass declaration checked.
Other jurisdictions currently in the ‘very low risk’ category include the Australian Capital Territory, Queensland, Northern Territory and Tasmania.
The Premier has also announced that from this Friday, December 11, South Australia will be reclassified to ‘low risk’ from its current medium risk classification, subject to no further community outbreaks.
For travellers from South Australia that means they will be permitted to enter under the ‘low risk’ classification, however are required to comply to these additional conditions:
- take a COVID-19 test at the airport COVID clinic, if deemed necessary by a health clinician (voluntary asymptomatic testing available for all airport arrivals);
- self-quarantine for 14 days in a suitable approved premise; and
- present for a COVID-19 test on day 11.
The Chief Health Officer will continue to monitor and review these travel arrangements to determine if there can be any further adjustments in the future, should there be any significant changes in the public health situation.
Until December 11, travel from South Australia remains prohibited unless travellers meet the strict exemption criteria, pending further updated health advice. This includes anyone who has been to South Australia in the previous 14 days or is travelling through South Australia on their way to WA.
The controlled interstate border is 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 travel to WA is available at https://www.wa.gov.au
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
“All through this pandemic I have made it crystal clear that Western Australia will take a considered, cautious and careful approach to our decision making.
“This has kept COVID out and protected people’s lives and livelihoods.
“Western Australia’s economy has roared back to life as a result, faster than we ever expected.
“As indicated by the Chief Health Officer in his latest advice, the current border arrangements have been highly effective in reducing the number of potential cases who have travelled from NSW, Victoria and South Australia.
“We’ve acted in the interests of Western Australians and our unique WA arrangement has kept us safe and strong.
“I appreciate that these adjustments have been difficult and challenging for many, and I am pleased that we can proceed with our planned approach to enable for more safe travel into WA.
“We won’t get complacent and will never turn a blind eye to concerning and adverse situations over east that could so easily mean that the deadly COVID-19 could creep into WA – if not managed properly.
“Our border controls have always and will always be in place on public health advice, and I won’t hesitate to bring back the hard border if that is what’s required.
“Again, it’s because of the efforts of Western Australians who have continued to stay the course which has meant that life and work in WA has returned to as normal as it can be.”
As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:
“Every step on this unpredictable COVID journey has been important.
“I have to remind people this unpredictable COVID journey is not over yet. Not by a long way.
“We all still have a part to play to keep us all safe.
“Given nearly all COVID-19 restrictions have been relaxed, WA is still susceptible to an outbreak so it’s vital we keep up the hygiene and COVID-safe practices.
“But it is worth pausing for a moment to thank everyone in Western Australia for the part they have played so far in making our State one of the safest places in the world.”
