Based on health advice, approved travellers from low, medium, high and extreme risk jurisdictions will be required to be fully vaccinated to enter Western Australia.
The new requirement will take effect from 12.01am Friday, November 5, 2021 for ‘medium’, ‘high’ and ‘extreme’ risk jurisdictions and strengthens WA’s border control arrangements with the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales and Victoria to reduce the risk of importing and spreading COVID-19.
The recommendation comes as vaccines are now readily available in Australia providing enough time for travellers to get both doses prior to travel, and aligns with the Federal Government’s requirement for international travellers to be fully vaccinated.
Currently, the Australian Capital Territory is classified as medium risk and Victoria and New South Wales are classified as extreme risk jurisdictions.
Travel from the ACT is not permitted, unless a person is an approved traveller. The exemption list is limited to certain senior Government officials, certain active military personnel, a member of the Commonwealth Parliament, a person carrying out functions under a law of the Commonwealth, a person carrying out a limited range of specialist functions, and a person given approval by the State Emergency Coordinator or an authorised officer.
Approved travellers arriving in WA from the ACT must:
- self-quarantine in a suitable premise for 14 days
- present for an initial COVID-19 test within 48 hours;
- present for a COVID-19 test if any symptoms develop during quarantine;
- present for a COVID-19 test on day 12 after arrival in WA (if still in WA); and
- be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (from November 5), if eligible.
Under the extreme risk category, the exemptions for approved travellers are restricted to Commonwealth and State officials, Members of Parliament, diplomats and specialists or due to extraordinary circumstances determined by the State Emergency Coordinator or the Chief Health Officer. These approved travellers are subject to the following conditions, unless otherwise advised:
- undertake hotel quarantine at a State facility for 14 days at their expense;
- get tested for COVID-19 on days one, five and 13;
- have returned a negative COVID-19 PCR test in the past 72 hours before departing;
- be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (from November 5), if eligible.
The fully vaccinated requirement will come into force for ‘low’ risk jurisdictions from Monday, November 15. Currently no Australian jurisdiction is classified as ‘low’ risk.
Safe and quarantine-free travel is permitted from the remainder of the country, as they are classified as ‘very low’ risk jurisdictions, namely Queensland, Northern Territory, South Australia and Tasmania.
People not eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine such as those under the age of 12 or who have recognised medical reasons for not receiving the vaccine are exempt from this requirement.
The recognised COVID-19 vaccines are those authorised by the Therapeutic Goods Administration and includes Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Moderna vaccines.
The Chief Health Officer is authorised to accept another overseas approved vaccine as suitable.
People entering WA who are subject to the new requirement will need to ensure they have their proof of vaccination ready as part of their G2G Pass application and use. Visit wa.gov.au for more information on proof of vaccinations – COVID-19 Coronavirus: Getting proof of COVID-19 vaccinations (www.wa.gov.au)
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
“These travel conditions will better protect Western Australia and can be implemented under WA’s controlled border arrangements.
“Our border controls have worked and have kept us safe but won’t be here forever.
“As we get our vaccination rate up, we need to remain cautious and vigilant, and take every precaution.
“The Delta variant has increased transmissibility, is the dominant strain around the world and has been central to outbreaks in NSW, Victoria and the ACT.”
As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:
“This new requirement is based on health advice to benefit Western Australians and keep us safe.
“With the vaccines readily available for people right across the country, it means people have had sufficient time and opportunity to be fully vaccinated before they travel.
“We need to get vaccinated, maintain our good personal hygiene and practise all our COVID safe measures to keep COVID at bay, and protect our lifestyles.”
