WA to proceed with Safe Transition Plan
Today the Western Australian Premier, Mark McGowan announced that from 12.01am on Saturday,
February 5, interstate and international travellers will be able to travel to WA without needing to quarantine.
This is in line with the Premier’s announcement last month that WA’s border will ease when the state reaches 90% double dosed. The Premier has confirmed that the state will reopen on February 5th even if the 90% target is not reached.
Interstate Travellers
All domestic arrivals (aged 12 and over) must be double dose vaccinated, unless medically exempt.
Travellers staying in Western Australia for 6 days or longer, must return a negative PCR test within 72 hours of departure. They must get another Covid test within 48 hours of arrival into Western Australia.
Travellers staying in Western Australia for fewer than 6 days will be required to produce a negative PCR test within 72 hours of departure.
Travellers who leave and then return to Western Australia within five days will be required to take a PCR test within 48 hours of returning to WA. They are not required to produce a negative test on arrival into WA.
These testing arrangements will be reviewed four weeks from the transition date (March 2, 2022).
International Travellers
Double dose vaccinated international travellers will no longer be subject to the arrivals cap nor will they be required to quarantine however, they will have to:
- return a negative PCR test result within 72 hours prior to departure
- return a negative PCR test within 48 hours of arrival to WA and on day six.
Unvaccinated travellers will be required to quarantine for 14 days at an approved facility.
Travel within WA
Entry will still be restricted to remote Aboriginal communities where necessary.
Regions in Western Australia that do not reach 80% double dose by 12.01 am on Saturday, February 5 will be subject to the following additional measures:
- proof of vaccination will be required at pubs, bars, dine-in cafés and restaurants, bottle shops, indoor entertainment venues, fitness centers
- masks will be required at all indoor public venues without a proof of vaccination entry requirement (such as supermarkets, roadhouses and takeaway services);
- Only double dose vaccinated travellers will be permitted into the region by air.
These restrictions will be removed once the required double dose vaccination rate is achieved in the region, subject to the specific health advice at the time.
At present, the only regions that have a first dose rate less than 80% are Pilbara, the Goldfields and the Kimberly.
Covid restrictions within WA
Masks will be required:
- on public transport, taxis or ride share services;
- at airports and on flights; and
- by visitors to hospitals, residential aged care, disability care or custodial corrections facilities.
Proof of vaccination will be required for entry (16 and over) at:
- Nightclubs
- The Crown complex
- The four major stadiums (Optus Stadium, RAC Arena, HBF Arena, HBF Park)
- Events with 1,000 or more patrons
Any business can choose to have proof of vaccination requirements as a condition of entry.
The State Government is developing a new mobile app, available next year, which will allow users to check-in and showcase their proof of vaccination in the same app.
Anyone using a printed copy of their Covid-19 certificate will be required to present identification with it.
The Western Australian government has indicated that these restrictions will be reviewed once the borders open, depending on the rates of hospitalisation. The Government continues to urge everyone to get vaccinated and receive a third dose when they are eligible.
For more information, please contact Simon Banks, Managing Director on +61 419 638 587.