WA hard border returns with Victoria from tonight

News story
In light of the COVID-19 outbreak in Victoria, Western Australia will strengthen its border controls to reduce the risk of the virus coming into the WA community.
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A map of Australia with Victoria shaded as medium risk for the changes to entry conditions to WA from VIC

On 31 December 2020, WA’s Acting Chief Health Officer consulted with the Victorian Government and the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC), to help provide updated health advice to the Western Australian Government.

Based on the latest health advice and the evolving situation, Victoria will now transition from a ‘very low risk’ State to a ‘medium risk’ State under our controlled interstate border, effective from 12.01am Friday, January 1, 2021.

Travel from Victoria will no longer be permitted, unless you are an exempt traveller. This also applies to anyone who may have been in Victoria since December 21 and hasn’t completed 14 days in a lower risk State or Territory. 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; and
  • 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 Victoria recently and need to return to WA. These people will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by WA Police and will be required to complete 14 days of self-quarantine and be tested for COVID-19 on arrival and on Day 11. 

Effective immediately, anyone who has arrived from Victoria since December 21 or was in Victoria from December 21 and has since arrived in WA will be required to do the following:

  • self-quarantine in a suitable premise until you have spent 14 days in WA;
  • present for a COVID-19 test as soon as any symptoms develop;
  • present for a COVID-19 test on Day 11 after arrival in WA;

Anyone who has arrived from Victoria since December 21 will be contacted by WA Police with these instructions, as a result of the G2G Pass declaration system in place in WA.

Exempt travellers arriving after 12:01am January 1 2021 will also be required to undertake a COVID-19 test at the airport, as well as on Day 11.

For more information see Victoria Arrivals Frequently Asked Questions.