Based on the latest public health advice, amendments have been made to WA’s controlled border with New Zealand, Queensland and South Australia.
New Zealand
WA will introduce a hard border with New Zealand as a ‘medium risk’ jurisdiction from 12.01am, Thursday 26 August, following the evolving COVID-19 situation and outbreak.
From this date, travel from NZ will not be permitted, unless you are an approved traveller.
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 responsible for transport freight or logistics
- anyone who is given approval by State Emergency Coordinator or an authorised officer.
The final category includes compassionate reasons - including those Western Australians that may have travelled to NZ recently and need to return to WA.
Approved travellers arriving to WA after 12.01am, Thursday 26 August must:
- self-quarantine in a suitable premises 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).
Anyone who has recently arrived from NZ prior to the hard border should continue to comply with their existing Directions, under the low risk settings provided to them upon entry to the state.
Recent arrivals into WA are asked to continue to monitor the New Zealand Government’s contact tracing locations of interest (external link).
Anyone who arrived in WA before 12.01am Thursday, August 26 and has been to a New Zealand exposure site (external link) at the specific times must self-quarantine for 14 days and be tested within 48 hours and on day 12.
For anyone who has come into contact with someone who recently arrived from NZ, self-quarantine is not necessary and COVID-19 testing is only required if symptoms develop.
Anyone who is unwell or experiencing symptoms should get tested for COVID-19 and self-quarantine until they return a negative test result.
Queensland
Queensland will transition from ‘medium risk’ to ‘low risk from 12.01am, Thursday 26 August.
Under the low risk category, all travellers who have been in Queensland or travelled through Queensland can enter WA subject to the following strict conditions:
- complete a G2G PASS stating they do not have COVID-19 symptoms, and which jurisdictions they have been in over the previous 14 days
- undergo a health screening upon arrival in WA
- self-quarantine for 14 days in a suitable premises
- present for COVID-19 testing within 48 hours of arrival and on day 12
- wear a mask when transiting to quarantine premises and when presenting for COVID-19 testing.
South Australia
South Australia will move to ‘very low risk’ from 12.01am, Thursday 26 August.
This means travellers entering from or via South Australia will be permitted to enter WA without quarantine requirements, but still be subject to the following strict conditions of entry:
- complete a G2G PASS declaration, which states they do not have any COVID-19 symptoms and which jurisdictions they have been to in the previous 14 days
- undergo health screening upon arrival.
Any recent arrivals from South Australia who are serving their 14 days of self-quarantine will be permitted to end their period of quarantine on the same day that South Australia transitions to a ‘very low risk’ state, based on health advice.
