The Western Australia hard border will be eased.

Significant changes to Western Australia’s hard border have just been announced by Premier Mark McGowan.

Today, in line with the latest advice from the Chief Health Officer, Mr McGowan announced that WA will soon cautiously transition to a controlled interstate border – as opposed to the hard border currently in place.

“I cannot thank Western Australians enough for the sacrifices made to keep our State safe and strong throughout this global pandemic, but COVID-19 is still a real threat to our way of life.

“Based on the health advice, we are now at the next step of our journey to safely and sensibly transition from our hard border to a new controlled interstate border” said Mr McGowan.

Pending ongoing health advice, this change will take effect at 12:01am on Saturday 14 November.

The existing hard border exemption system will be removed and replaced with the controlled interstate border regime.

The Chief Health Officer has recommended a 14-day rolling average of less than five community cases per day in each state and territory be required before progressing to the new border controls. This condition is currently being met.

Very low risk states

Under this system, travel from ‘very low risk’ states and territories will be permitted, with conditions on arrival including declarations, temperature tests and possible COVID-19 testing. However, travellers from these states will no longer need to self-quarantine.

These jurisdictions currently include:

• Tasmania
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Australian Capital Territory
• Northern Territory

New South Wales and Victoria

Travel from ‘low risk’ states and territories also permitted, with similar conditions on arrival, in addition to 14 days of self-quarantine and a mandatory Day 11 COVID-19 test.

Travelling out of Western Australia

Mr McGowan stated that if Western Australians choose to travel to New South Wales or Victoria and then return home to Western Australia, they will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days upon their return.

Those who wish to travel to the other ‘very low risk’ states and territories won’t be required to self-quarantine on their arrival back to Western Australia, but will have to follow the strict process of a G2G Pass declaration and also be subject to screenings/test on arrival.

More to come.

Watch: WA border announcement from Premier Mark McGowan.

Feature image: Mark McGowan Facebook

Further Perth news on SoPerth.com.au.