- Western Australia is opening its borders up to Queensland and New South Wales next week, allowing for quarantine-free travel just in time for Christmas
- The update comes as the eastern states are officially declared “very low-risk” for the spread of COVID-19
- WA’s borders will open at 12:01 am AWST on Tuesday, December 8, though there will be tight rules for travellers coming into Perth airport
- This includes temperature monitoring, a weekly health SMS check-up, and the requirement to do a COVID-19 test at the Perth Airport clinic if asked
- Meanwhile, WA’s border will stay shut to South Australia until at least December 11
- South Australia currently has 14 active COVID-19 cases across the state and is considered a medium-risk jurisdiction
- Today’s announcement comes as Victoria reaches its 32nd day in a row without a new COVID-19 case and NSW hits 24 days without a new case
Western Australia is opening its borders up to Queensland and New South Wales next week, allowing for quarantine-free travel just in time for Christmas
State Premier Mark McGowan announced the border update this morning, following the latest health advice from WA’s Chief Health Officer Dr Andrew Robertson.
Queensland and NSW are now officially classified as “very low-risk” for the spread of COVID-19 after going several weeks without an infection in the community.
As such, Western Australia’s borders will open to the states at 12:01 am on Tuesday, December 8, provided there are no outbreaks in either state before then.
WA’s hard border is still in place against South Australia, however. People from South Australia or who have passed through South Australia to get to WA will still need to quarantine for 14 days upon arriving in the western state.
These rules will say in place until at least December 11, after which the coronavirus situation in South Australia will be reviewed.
Premier McGowan said WA has been kept safe and strong because of its controlled border regime.
“WA’s border controls have proved highly effective in reducing the risk of COVID-19 coming into our State from other Australian jurisdictions,” the Premier said.
He said the success of NSW and Victoria in getting the virus under control is something all Australians should be proud of.
“We can take this next step, safely and cautiously, thanks to the recent success of our friends over east getting the spread of the virus under control,” he said.
“I’m very pleased we’ve been able to make progress with our controlled interstate border arrangements and we’ve done so in a careful and cautious manner to keep the WA community safe.”
Open borders, tight regulation
With the freshly-opened borders, the Premier said, will come strict airport monitoring rules for all travellers coming to Perth.
This includes health screening and temperature tests for all arrivals to Perth Airport, with all travellers required to be ready to take a COVID-19 test at the airport clinic if asked.
For the extra cautious, travellers can request to take a test anyway even if they are not showing any symptoms.
Travellers will also need to legally declare they have not been in or knowingly mixed with someone from South Australia within 14 days of travelling to WA.
Lying in this declaration could see travellers cop a fine between $1000 and $50,000.
WA arrivals will also receive an SMS health check reminder one week into their WA stay.
Today’s border update comes after Victoria hits its 32nd day in a row without a new COVID-19 case. Victoria has gone 24 days in a row. Meanwhile, South Australia has 14 active cases.