QLD and NSW to transition to ‘low risk’ under border controls

  • Latest health advice allows for adjustments to WA’s controlled interstate border
  • Change is effective from 12.01am, Monday, January 25
  • Travel only permitted with 14 days of self-quarantine and COVID-19 testing
  • Latest adjustment to controlled border based on expert health advice
  • Queensland and New South Wales will transition to ‘low risk’ states from 12.01am Monday, January 25, 2021 following the latest health advice.

    Western Australia’s controlled interstate border will be safely adjusted to permit travel from or via Queensland and New South Wales under strict conditions:

    • self-quarantine for 14 days in a suitable premise;
    • present for a COVID-19 test on day 11;
    • all Perth Airport arrivals to undergo a health screening and temperature test;
    • 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);
    • land arrivals to be met at the border checkpoint, for a health screening and to have their G2G Pass declaration checked before proceeding to self-quarantine premise;
    • complete 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.

    Queensland has recorded 15 days of no community cases and New South Wales has recorded seven days of no community cases. 

    Jurisdictions considered ‘low risk’ are permitted to enter WA without an exemption but subject to strict conditions including COVID-19 testing or self-quarantine requirements and will now include Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales.

    Under WA’s expert health advice, a jurisdiction requires at least 28 days of no community cases until consideration can be given to reclassify them as ‘very low risk’.

    The Chief Health Officer has also advised that given the unique situation in Queensland, Queensland could transition to ‘very low risk’ from February 1. This transition will be confirmed closer to the date, based on the latest public health information.

    Jurisdictions currently considered ‘very low risk’ and are permitted to enter WA without COVID-19 testing or self-quarantine requirements currently include the Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory, South Australia and Tasmania.

    The WA Chief Health Officer will continue to monitor and review border controls to determine if any further adjustments can be made in the future.

    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 outbreak in NSW last month was extremely concerning and prompted immediate action right across the country.

    “Queensland’s situation which followed shortly after was compounded with the detection of the variant strain and again resulted in swift action by us, by the QLD Government itself and from other States and Territories in a bid to protect the country.  

    “WA’s careful and cautious approach has stood us in good stead and our controlled border arrangements have kept us safe allowing for swift action to stop the virus in its tracks.

    “Our top priority is to protect WA and minimise the risk of COVID-19 spreading into the community.

    “Queensland and New South Wales’ reclassification allows for safe travel under our controlled border, with the important requirement of 14 days of self-quarantine and a COVID-19 test.

    “Everyone in the community has played a role in keeping WA safe and I want to thank them for their co-operation, particularly over the last month as border controls have had to change quickly.”

    As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:

    “Western Australia is in the extremely fortunate position of having had no community transmission of COVID-19 for more than nine months.

    “This has not happened by chance.

    “Our expert health advice has been crucial to the success of WA’s hard and controlled interstate borders to prevent the virus from coming into our State.

    “At the same time, our robust hotel quarantine operation for international arrivals has detected and stopped hundreds of cases of COVID-19.

    “Importantly, the Western Australian public continues to play an absolutely vital role.

    “Get tested if you are feeling unwell, practice safe physical distancing, wash your hands and keep on using the SafeWA app when you are out and about.”

    /Public Release. View in full here.