Based on the latest health advice, Queensland and South Australia will transition from 'medium risk' to 'high risk' under Western Australia's controlled border arrangements from 12.01am Saturday, December 25.
Under the 'high risk' setting, travellers must still be approved through the G2G Pass system. 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.
The final category includes reasons such as those Western Australians that may have travelled to Queensland or South Australia recently, have roots in WA and have a legitimate right to return, subject to the relevant quarantine conditions and required evidence.
Under the 'high risk' settings, effective from 12.01am Saturday, December 25, anyone entering from Queensland or South Australia, or who has travelled through Queensland or South Australia in the past 14 days, will be subject to the following strict conditions to enter WA:
- proof of a negative COVID-19 test in the 72 hours prior to departure;
- 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;
- present for a COVID-19 test on day 12 after arrival in WA (if still in WA);
- be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, if eligible; and
- a mandatory requirement to use the G2G Now app while in quarantine.
The Chief Health Officer will continue to monitor and review border controls.
For more information about WA's controlled border arrangements, visit https://www.wa.gov.au
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"Given the escalating situation in Queensland and South Australia, the Chief Health Officer has advised these States are required to transition to the 'high risk' setting.
"This elevation will give greater certainty to Western Australians that only approved travellers entering from Queensland or South Australia are doing so safely.
"Our experience shows safe and sensible border controls work and they have kept Western Australians safe.
"This is also crucial as we get on top of the outbreak here in WA, and there is sustained community transmission around the country.
"As we work to limit the spread here in WA, we need to remain cautious and vigilant, and take every precaution, this means getting tested if you have symptoms or you've been to an exposure site, getting vaccinated including your third dose and checking in using SafeWA."
As stated by Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"Since the start of the pandemic our border controls have kept us safe and this decision today ensures that they will continue to do so.
"We are watching very closely the situation in other States as they battle the Omicron variant and the increase in cases in Queensland and South Australia means it is necessary to act.
"While we take steps together to try to limit the spread of COVID-19 here, it is prudent to also take steps to reduce the likelihood of Omicron making its way into Western Australia before February 5."
