An update on WA Border restrictions with New South Wales and Victoria has been provided by Mark McGowan as part of his latest Perth COVID-19 update.

While Mark McGowan announced the good news today that Perth post lockdown restrictions will be eased from Sunday 12:01am, further good news came in the way of border restrictions being eased for New South Wales travellers as the state moves into a very low-risk category.

“The Chief Health Officer provided updated advice on the situation in NSW, and with the last community case of COVID-19 recorded on January 15, NSW is due to reach 28 days of no community transmission today.

As a result, we can now safely move NSW from ‘low risk’ to ‘very low risk’.A decision was taken for this occur from 12.01 am, on Tuesday, February 16, pending no further outbreaks.” states Mr McGowan.

Safe travel is permitted into WA subject is still subject to conditions:

• Completion of a G2G Pass declaration, stipulating they do not have any COVID-19 symptoms and which jurisdictions the traveller has been in over the previous 14 days
• All Perth Airport arrivals to undergo a health screening and temperature test
• Travellers to be prepared to take a COVID-19 test at the airport COVID clinic, if deemed necessary by a health clinician
• Land arrivals to be met at the border checkpoint, for a health screening and to have their G2G Pass declaration checked

Unfortunately for Victorian travellers the news isn’t positive.

The announcement of restrictions easing in New South Wales means all Australian jurisdictions will be classified in the ‘very low risk’ category, except Victoria.

Arrivals from Victoria are required to return a negative COVID test result, before they complete 14 days of self-quarantine.

“Given the concerning situation in Victoria as they enter lockdown, the Chief Health Officer has recommended Victoria be reclassified as ‘medium risk’ for a short period, until the situation is controlled.

This will be a 72-hour hard border with Victoria, pending updated health advice,” said Mr McGowan.

From 6pm, the full ‘medium risk’ category will come into force until at least 12.01am, Tuesday, February 16, pending updated health advice.

Only exempt travellers are permitted during this hard border period with Victoria.

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.

While Mr McGowan was apologetic for the harsh and sudden border arrangement, he wanted to emphasise the importance WA’s border has had in keeping the community safe from the pandemic.

“I know this will be frustrating and cause disruption for many people, but we need to be extra cautious here. Our border arrangements have worked for us all through dealing with this pandemic.”

Feature image: AAP Image/POOL, Tony McDonough

Further Perth news on SoPerth.com.au.