Western Australia has delayed its planned border reopening indefinitely as the rest of the country grapples with the greatest spread of COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
Premier Mark McGowan said the revised hard border would come with more exemptions for compassionate reasons.
However, he warned further restrictions would be considered over the next month as the state reviews the impact of the Omicron variant in the eastern states.
The changes, due to start from 5 February, have dashed the hopes of families and friends hoping to reunite after being separated by some of the toughest border controls in Australia.
Can I leave WA?
There are currently no restrictions on people leaving Western Australia to travel interstate.
Australian citizens, permanent residents and eligible visa holders who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 do not need to apply for an exemption to travel overseas.
You are not required to have had a COVID-19 booster shot to travel overseas.
WA’s border is staying bolted shut. What now?
Western Australia once again has been left indefinitely closed off to the rest of the world. How did it come to this, and where do we go from here?
Who can enter WA?
From 5 February, approved travellers will be allowed to enter WA.
They will then need to provide proof of vaccination, proof of a negative rapid antigen test and undergo quarantine.
The list of approved travellers are:
- Returning West Australians with strong recent connections with WA
- Returning West Australians with family connections in WA
- Compassionate grounds including funerals and palliative care or terminally ill visitation
- People entering for urgent or essential medical treatment
- People entering WA for national or state security reasons
- People with specialist skills
- Commonwealth and state officials, members of parliament and diplomats
- Other extraordinary circumstances approved by the Chief Health Officer or Police Commissioner
What are the rules for interstate travellers?
Approved travellers will need to have an approved G2G Pass in order to enter WA.
Travellers must be triple-vaccinated if eligible, or double-vaccinated if they are not eligible for a third dose.
Proof of vaccination can be uploaded to the G2G Pass application.
Travellers must also provide proof of a negative rapid antigen test within 24 hours before departure.
Upon arriving, they must self-quarantine for 14 days at suitable premises.
Anyone else at the premises must also self-quarantine for 14 days.
Travellers must get a PCR test within 48 hours of arrival.
Another PCR test is required on day 12 for travellers as well as any people they are staying with.
Interstate travellers must use G2G Now, the mobile app that requests people in quarantine to take a photo every time a check-in request is sent.
They will also be subject to in-person checks by WA Police.
What are the rules for entering WA by road?
People who enter WA by road must meet all of the requirements for approved interstate travellers listed above.
Travellers who enter WA at Eucla at the border with South Australia must limit their travel to 1500km (the distance to Perth).
This is to allow people to travel by road to suitable premises for self-quarantine.
Entry to WA at Kununurra at the border with the Northern Territory will only be for transport, freight and logistics and border community residents.
Travel into remote Aboriginal communities is restricted.
Read more about the spread of COVID-19:
- What is COVID’s incubation period? Can Omicron spread if you’re asymptomatic?
- How new mask prototypes can detect leaks and diagnose COVID
- What are the symptoms of COVID-19 and when should you seek medical attention?
What are the rules for overseas travellers?
International arrivals must be approved travellers in order to enter WA.
They must also meet the Commonwealth requirements to enter Australia under the arrivals cap.
Australian citizens, permanent residents and eligible visa holders who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 do not need to apply for an exemption to travel to Australia.
Overseas travellers must have an approved G2G pass before arrival in WA.
Upon arriving, they must quarantine for 14 days.
If eligible, this can be split between seven days in hotel quarantine and seven days of self-quarantine at suitable premises.
Travellers must get a PCR test on days one, six, nine and 12.
If the traveller is in self-quarantine, anyone else staying at the premises must also get a PCR test on the traveller’s day 12.
International arrivals must use G2G Now, the mobile app that requests people in quarantine to take a photo every time a check-in request is sent.
They will also be subject to in-person checks by WA Police.
What about international arrivals that transit interstate?
If an international arrival enters WA via another state or territory, they will be subject to the same rules as interstate travellers.
Are you looking forward to heading to WA? What do you think of the hurdles you’d have to jump to get in?
If you enjoy our content, don’t keep it to yourself. Share our free eNews with your friends and encourage them to sign up.
