West Australia has persisted with the strictest border closures of all Australian states to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, but it has finally released its plan to end the hard border policy on Saturday 14 November.
The government announced that it would transition to a controlled interstate border based on the latest health advice.
The existing hard border exemption system will be removed and replaced with an updated nationwide health-based threshold that allows for safe travel into Western Australia from interstate with conditions, and subject to trigger points being met.
The West Australian Chief Health Officer Dr Andrew Robertson has recommended a 14-day rolling average of less than five community cases per day in each state or territory be required before progressing to the new border control measures. This requirement is currently being met by all jurisdictions in Australia.
Travellers from states and territories that are deemed ‘very low risk’ with no community cases of COVID-19 in the past 28 days will be permitted to enter WA as long as they comply with certain conditions, which include being subject to a health screening and temperature test on arrival at Perth Airport and being prepared to take a COVID-19 test if requested.
All travellers will receive an SMS health check reminder one week into their stay in WA, while arrivals by land will be met at the border checkpoint for health screening.
Currently the jurisdictions that meet the ‘very low risk’ criteria include Tasmania, Queensland, South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.
Travellers from states and territories that are deemed ‘low risk’ – with less than five community cases on a 14-day rolling average – will be permitted to enter WA and comply with similar conditions as ‘very low risk’ jurisdictions, however, they will also be required to take a COVID-19 test at the airport COVID clinic if deemed necessary and self-quarantine for 14 days in a suitable premise.
These additional restrictions would apply to NSW and Victoria on their current COVID numbers.
Will you travel to West Australia now that the hard border is reopening? Where in WA would you most like to visit?
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