WA’s hard border comes back up due to Victoria community COVID-19 outbreak.
In the latest Perth COVID-19 update, acting WA Premier Roger Cook has advised that WA’s hard border will once again be put in place for Victorian travellers into Western Australia.
“Given the evolving situation in Victoria, Western Australia needs to move quickly and responsibly to protect our State from COVID-19 entering the local community.
“Like we have seen in Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia – an outbreak can get out of control very quickly and we cannot afford to hesitate.” said Mr Cook.
In light of the outbreak in Victoria, Western Australia will strengthen its border controls to reduce the risk of the virus coming into the WA community.
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 (tonight), 1 January, 2021.
Conditions for travel under hard border
From 12.01am tonight, travel from Victoria will no longer be permitted, except for certain exempt travellers.
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
- Anyone who is given approval by State Emergency Coordinator or an authorised officer.
- Compassionate reasons – including those Western Australians that may have travelled to Victoria recently and need to return to WA.
As with previous hard border arrangements, 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.
Conditions for recent arrivals from Victoria
Effective immediately, anyone who has arrived from Victoria since 21 December or was in Victoria from 21 December and has since arrived in WA will be required to do the following:
- Self-quarantine in a suitable premise until they 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 21 December will be contacted by WA Police with these instructions, as a result of the G2G Pass declaration system in place in WA.
Mr Cook though has urged that there is no need for panic in Western Australia.
“If you have come into contact with someone who recently arrived from Victoria, you only need to be tested for COVID-19 if symptoms develop.
“Thank you to everyone for your understanding and patience during this difficult time.”
Watch: Acting Premier Roger Cook and WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson with an IMPORTANT update on COVID-19
Further Perth news on SoPerth.com.au.
