- Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan has announced that the state will reopen its borders to the rest of the world on February 5
- This announcement comes as the state reached a double-dose vaccination rate of 80 per cent for those 12 and over
- Once the borders open, quarantine-free travel will be possible for interstate and international travellers, however, only for those double vaccinated
- Mask wearing will come back into play, however, only in high-risk indoor settings such as hospitals, airports, public transport, taxis and rideshare
- The first-dose vaccination rate stands at 89.1 per cent
Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan has announced that the state will reopen its borders to the rest of the world on February 5.
From 12:01 am on February 5, the state’s hard border will come down with hope that 90 per cent of the state’s population aged 12 and over will be vaccinated by then.
This announcement comes as the state reached a double-dose vaccination rate of 80 per cent for those 12 and over.
Mr McGowan said the date has been locked in to give West Australians and businesses certainty.
“This is a date that some in the community have been waiting to hear for a long time,” he said.
“Many have family abroad that they have been unable to see for nearly two years. I am sure this date will be a cause of relief and celebration.”
WA’s hard border has been in place since April 2, 2020, and has been extremely effective in keeping COVID out of the state, and families.
Rules for travellers
Once the borders open, quarantine-free travel will be possible for interstate and international travellers, however, only for those double vaccinated.
International travellers will need to produce a negative PCR test result within 72 hours of departure and be tested 48 hours upon arrival into WA and on day six.
If the trip to WA is five days or less, they will not need to undertake any tests on arrival.
Unvaccinated travellers will still need to quarantine in a state-run facility for two weeks and there will be a cap on unvaccinated international arrivals.
Health Minister Roger Cook has urged people to get vaccinated before February 5 to avoid quarantine.
“Make no mistake about it, coronavirus is coming into this state,” he said.
“Our blissful bubble is about to burst … so we need to make every day count.”
Reintroducing of restrictions and proof of vaccination
Mask wearing will come back into play, however, only in high-risk indoor settings such as hospitals, airports, public transport, taxis and rideshare.
Contract registration is still required at all public venues such as taxis and rideshare, and restricted entry to remote Aboriginal communities has been put in place.
Further, proof of vaccination is required for events with more than 1000 attendees, Crown casino and its complex, nightclubs, Optus Stadium, RAC Arena, HBF Stadium, Main Arena and HBF Park.
While the border will still open on February 5 regardless of whether the 90 per cent double-dose mark is reached, if that target is not reached then the state will likely experience harsher mask and social distancing restrictions.
The first-dose vaccination rate stands at 89.1 per cent.