Mark McGowan has confirmed WA will be set to open the border on 12:01am 5th February 2022.

The question everyone has been asking has finally been answered as Mark McGowan today announced WA’s borders will open on the 5th of February 2022.

WA has recorded a first dose vaccination rate of 89.1% for 12 years and over and achieved an 80% double-dose vaccination rate as of last night.

Based on current health advice and after reaching an 80% vaccination rate Western Australia will ease hard border restrictions at 12:01am Saturday 5th February. This date is locked in to give businesses and individuals certainty.

With the ability for the virus to enter the community after this date, a number of things will change in our approach to International and Domestic travel and public health measures.

With eased border controls, quarantine-free travel will be possible with some measures:

• International Arrivals: All international arrivals will be subject to PCR testing pre-departure and on arrival. Only unvaccinated travellers will be required to quarantine for 14 days at an approved facility. If they are double vaccinated there will be no requirement for quarantine.

• Domestic Arrivals: All domestic arrivals into WA must be double vaxxed with a G2G pass unless exempt with PCR testing requirements dependent on length of travel.

Entry will still be restricted to remote Aboriginal communities where necessary.

To familiarise yourself with testing and vaccination requirements on arrivals visit wa.gov.au.

Public health measures in place after the 5th of February will include:

• No capacity or gathering limits.
• Proof of vacination will be required from 16 years and over at night clubs, crown complex, major stadiums and events with 1,000 or more patrons.
• Other businesses may also choose to have proof of vaccination requirements for entry if they wish.
• Mask wearing will be required for public transport, taxis, ride share services, visitors to hospitals, residential aged care, residential disability care, and custodial corrections facilities.
• Contact registration will still be required at public venues and in taxi or rideshares.

These are interim arrangements based on current health advice and will be specifically reviewed one month after the borders reopen.

McGowan has assured that our health system is ready, that we have the equipment, the hospital capacity, the contact tracing, the workforce and the vaccination rate required to handle the arrival of COVID-19 in the community.

For further government updates visit wa.gov.au.

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