Based on the latest health advice, Western Australia's safe and sensible controlled border arrangements will be adjusted with New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and South Australia.
New South Wales will be elevated to 'high risk' from 12.01am Tuesday, August 17. Anyone entering from NSW, or who has travelled through NSW in the past 14 days, will be subject to the following strict conditions to enter WA:
- proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test in the 72 hours prior to departure;
- proof of receipt of at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, where eligible;
- a mandatory requirement to use the G2G Now app on arrival in WA; and
- COVID-19 tests on days two and 12.
Following a number of community cases, a hard border will be put in place with the Australian Capital Territory, with the jurisdiction transitioning to 'medium risk'. Travel from the ACT will no longer be permitted, unless you are 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 after 12.01am Saturday, August 14 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; and
- present for a COVID-19 test on day 12 after arrival in WA (if still in WA).
People who have recently travelled to the ACT are urged to return to WA now.
Recent arrivals into WA are asked to continue to monitor the ACT COVID website for updated exposure locations. Information can be viewed at http://www.covid19.act.gov.au
Anyone who is unwell or experiencing symptoms should get tested for COVID-19 and self-quarantine until they return a negative test result.
Self-quarantine is not necessary for anyone who has come into contact with someone who recently arrived from the ACT and COVID-19 testing is only required if symptoms develop.
Following the latest health advice and the improved situation in South Australia, this jurisdiction will transition to 'low risk' from 12.01am Saturday, August 14.
This means travel is permitted from South Australia with the following strict conditions:
- present for a COVID-19 test on arrival (within 48 hours) and on day 12;
- self-quarantine for 14 days in a suitable premise;
- complete a G2G Pass declaration prior to arrival, stipulating they do not have any COVID-19 symptoms and which jurisdictions they have been in over the previous 14 days;
- land arrivals to be met at the border checkpoint, for a health screening and to have their G2G Pass declaration checked before proceeding to their self-quarantine premise.
The WA Chief Health Officer will continue to monitor and review border controls.
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 http://www.wa.gov.au
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"In light of the very serious and sustained outbreak of the COVID-19 Delta variant in NSW, we are strengthening our border controls to protect Western Australians.
"The latest health advice is that NSW represents a significantly greater risk of importation of the virus than any other jurisdiction.
"What is happening in NSW is devastating, we hope that NSW can get on top of their outbreak and bring it under control as soon as possible."
As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:
"We have the greatest sympathy for what the people of NSW are going through at the moment.
"Just a single case has led to almost 7,000 positive cases and, tragically, 38 deaths.
"The hospitals are also dealing with more and more people of all ages struggling to breathe in their ICUs.
"We want to keep the people of Western Australia safe from the devastation and heartbreak this disease is causing around Australia and the world."
