Based on the latest health advice, Western Australia's safe and sensible controlled border arrangements will be adjusted with South Australia, Queensland, New Zealand and New South Wales from midnight tonight (12.01am Thursday, August 26).
South Australia will safely transition from 'low risk' to 'very low risk'. Under the 'very low risk' settings, safe travel is permitted into WA subject to the following conditions:
- completion of a G2G Pass declaration, stipulating the traveller does not have any COVID-19 symptoms and which jurisdictions they have visited in 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, if deemed necessary by a health clinician (voluntary asymptomatic testing also available); and
- land arrivals to be met at the border checkpoint for a health screening and to have their G2G Pass declaration checked.
Queensland will safely transition from 'medium risk' to 'low risk'. This means travel is permitted from Queensland 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 visited 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.
The New Zealand outbreak has now reached 148 community cases. As a result a hard border will be put in place with New Zealand, with the jurisdiction being elevated from 'low risk' to 'medium risk'. Travel from New Zealand 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 Western Australia from New Zealand 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).
Anyone who arrived in WA before 12.01am Thursday, August 26 and 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
As previously announced, from midnight tonight New South Wales will be elevated to 'extreme risk'. Under the new 'extreme risk' category, travel from New South Wales to Western Australia will not be permitted.
Since August 14, 2021 - when it was first announced that NSW would move to the 'high risk' border control - in the order of 2,000 approved travellers have entered WA safely from this jurisdiction. A further 318 passengers are due to arrive on two separate flights from Sydney today before the border control is further elevated to 'extreme risk'.
More information on WA's controlled borders is available at https://www.wa.gov.au
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"A number of safe adjustments are being made to border controls with various jurisdictions.
"In promising news, after 34 days of no community cases, safe travel from South Australia is now permitted after tough lockdown measures enabled them to crush its local outbreak.
"Travel from Queensland is now also permitted, but with testing and quarantine requirements, after they have recorded 17 days with no community cases.
"Changes to border controls can occur quickly, and WA will not hesitate to reintroduce tougher border controls if necessary, following health advice, to keep WA safe.
"As flagged last Friday, NSW will move to the new 'extreme risk' category from midnight tonight.
"With growing case numbers in New Zealand, WA will be putting in place a hard border with New Zealand from midnight tonight.
"The various outbreaks in Australia and in New Zealand are heartbreaking and our thoughts are with everyone impacted."
As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:
"Western Australia's border controls have been our best defence in eliminating COVID-19 within our community, protecting our health and our economy.
"We need to stay vigilant with outbreaks growing as the deadly Delta strain continues to wreak havoc.
"It's so important that we continue to listen to the health advice. Please stay home if you're unwell, get tested if you develop symptoms and get the COVID-19 vaccine if you're eligible."
