Travellers from South Australia arriving from 12.01am, Friday, December 25, 2020 will be able to enter Western Australia under the controlled border arrangements under the 'very low risk' category, as previously indicated.
Following the latest public health advice, WA's controlled interstate border will be safely adjusted, pending no further outbreaks, with travel from South Australia permitted into WA subject to the following updated conditions:
- completion of a G2G Pass declaration, stipulating they do not have any COVID-19 symptoms and which jurisdictions the traveller has been in over the previous 14 days;
- all Perth Airport arrivals to undergo a health screening and temperature test;
- travellers to 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 to receive a SMS health check reminder one week into their stay in WA; and
- land arrivals to be met at the border checkpoint, for a health screening and to have their G2G Pass declaration checked.
Other jurisdictions currently in the 'very low risk' category include the Australian Capital Territory, Queensland, Northern Territory, Tasmania and Victoria.
The Acting Chief Health Officer has re-evaluated SA community cases, and by definition, SA has reached 28 days of no community cases as of today. This is due to updated information from the SA health authorities that their last local case was already in quarantine from November 23 and not in the broader community.
Given the recent outbreak in New South Wales and the previous SA announcement, the changes to SA arrivals into WA are effective from 12.01am this Friday (December 25).
Anyone who arrives from SA into WA prior to December 25 are required to follow the rules under the 'low risk' category, including completing 14 days of self-quarantine.
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
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"We continue to follow our expert health advice which has kept WA safe and strong and has now allowed for further adjustments to our border arrangements with South Australia.
"I understand many people with family and friends in South Australia had their Christmas plans changed due to the recent SA outbreak, so it's very pleasing to be able to make this safe adjustment in line with health advice.
"I want to thank everyone for their understanding and their patience over this period.
"I've always avoided setting arbitrary dates when it comes to border arrangements because doing so means straying from health advice, and as we've seen with recent events from SA and NSW, the virus can enter in a flash and wreak havoc.
"We cannot let our guard down. Throughout the pandemic Western Australians have shown that if we follow the health advice we can stay safe and we're able to better protect our community. It's so important we stay the course and stay safe."
As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:
"We now have six jurisdictions to be classified as 'very low risk' which is a positive development.
"But it is important to remind everyone as we enter the festive season not to forget why we are in such a fortunate position in Western Australia.
"Everyone needs to stick to the basics - that means good hygiene, wash your hands, use hand sanitisers, physically distance where possible and don't shake hands."
