Based on the latest health advice, New Zealand will transition to a 'low risk' jurisdiction under Western Australia's controlled border effective from 12pm today (August 18).
Anyone entering from New Zealand from 12pm today will be subject to 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 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.
Anyone who has arrived into WA from New Zealand since August 12 must monitor for symptoms and present for a COVID-19 test as soon as symptoms develop.
Anyone who has been to a New Zealand exposure site at the specific times must self-quarantine for 14 days and be tested within 48 hours and at day 12.
It is important that recent travellers from New Zealand familiarise themselves with the latest exposure sites, as contact tracing continues to uncover more sites, by visiting the New Zealand Ministry of Health's website at https://www.health.govt.nz
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 https://www.wa.gov.au
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"As the situation in New Zealand evolves, we are taking a cautious approach and will upgrade our border controls to keep COVID-19 out of our community.
"Western Australia's controlled border arrangements have been instrumental in keeping our community safe.
"We understand this may be frustrating for some travellers but with the increasing threat of COVID outbreaks in Australia, we must do all we can to keep the virus out of WA.
"I urge any Western Australians who have recently travelled to New Zealand to come home now."
As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:
"It's important everyone remains vigilant and gets tested if unwell.
"Any recent travellers who have arrived in Western Australia must continue to monitor for new exposure sites in New Zealand.
"The outbreaks on the east coast of Australia and in New Zealand are a reminder of the continuing threat of COVID-19."
