- The Premier of WA has confirmed the state’s border will reopen to NSW and Victoria as planned from midnight tonight
- Under the changes, residents from the east coast states will no longer have to quarantine upon arrival in Perth
- Mark McGowan said he’s comfortable pushing ahead with the opening, despite a recent bungle by NSW police involving two overseas travellers
- A German mother and son were allowed to leave Sydney for Melbourne despite the fact they hadn’t undertaken a mandatory two-week quarantine
- NSW Police have apologised for the incident and the two overseas travellers involved have tested negative for COVID-19
Western Australia will push ahead with reopening its borders to NSW and Victoria despite a recent bungle at Sydney airport involving two overseas passengers.
The WA Premier has confirmed that the planned lifting of border restrictions will still come into effect from midnight tonight.
Under the changes, all travellers from NSW and Victoria will be able to enter WA without undertaking a two-week mandatory quarantine.
Speaking to reporters today, Mark McGowan said he’s comfortable pushing ahead with the opening despite a few close scares in NSW.
Last week it was confirmed that a hotel quarantine worker had contracted the virus, sparking a mass-testing of residents throughout Sydney.
More recently, NSW Police apologised for allowing a German mother and son to leave Sydney Airport for Melbourne without undertaking quarantine.
A police official explained a language barrier led to an officer believing the pair had an exemption.
The two travellers were later tested for COVID-19 and returned negative results, which Premier McGowan said was a good sign.
“The chief health officer has recommended that the risk of importation of COVID-19 from New South Wales is now very low,” he said.
“As a result, it is safe to continue our plans as announced and to transition New South Wales to the next classification,” the Premier added.