Busselton Beach, WA.
Western Australian Premier, Mark McGowan has finally thrown open the doors of his state to travellers from Victoria and NSW – but here’s the fine print.
Travellers will be permitted into WA with the following conditions:
- Travellers must complete a G2G Pass declaration, stipulating they do not have any COVID-19 symptoms
- Travellers must identify any jurisdictions they have been in over the previous 14 days;
- All Perth Airport arrivals must undergo a health screening and temperature test on arrival;
- Travellers must 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 will receive a SMS health check reminder one week into their stay in WA; and
- Land arrivals must met at the border checkpoint for a health screening and to have their G2G Pass declaration checked.
“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,” said Premier McGowan.
“This has kept COVID out and protected people’s lives and livelihoods.
Travellers from NSW and Victoria will be classed by WA as ‘very low risk’ from midnight. Other jurisdictions currently in the ‘very low risk’ category include the ACT, 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 Premier said the Chief Health Officer would continue to “monitor and review 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.
“We’ve acted in the interests of Western Australians and our unique WA arrangement has kept us safe and strong,” said Mr McGowan.
“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.”
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 http://www.wa.gov.au
