NSW travellers will need to self-isolate for 14 days when arriving in WA.
As the NSW COVID-19 situation continues to unfold, Mark McGowan has announced a WA Border update that will see restrictions put in place for NSW travellers into WA.
In an announcement on Mark McGowan’s Facebook page he states:
Since the State Government’s announcement at 3pm this afternoon, NSW Health have advised of a further 12 locally acquired cases, bringing the total number of cases to 17.
WA’s Chief Health Officer has consulted further with NSW Health and the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) and has provided updated advice to the WA Government on our controlled interstate border and the evolving situation in NSW.
An emergency meeting was held this evening between myself, the Minister for Health, Chief Health Officer, Commissioner of Police and the Director General of Health to determine the next course of action.
The State Government will now take further steps to prevent COVID-19 coming into the WA community.
Based on the health advice, NSW will now transition from a ‘very low risk’ State to a ‘low risk’ State under our controlled interstate border: Effective from 12.01am Friday (tonight), 18 December, anyone arriving from New South Wales will now be required to:
- Self-quarantine in a suitable premise for 14 days
- Be tested for COVID-19 on day 11.
Further to incoming travellers, anyone who has arrived from NSW from December 11 or was in NSW from December 11 and subsequently arrived in WA before 12.01am Friday, 18 December will be required to follow updated arrangements, which include:
- The requirement to self-quarantine in a suitable premise as soon as possible;-
- Present for a COVID-19 test as soon as possible;-
- Return to self-quarantine until a negative test result is confirmed;-
- Undertake a further test on Day 11 after arrival in WA.
The State Government is taking these important and extra cautious steps, based on the most up-to-date expert health advice.
We will continue to monitor the situation in New South Wales very closely and provide any further updates when necessary and appropriate. We are very concerned there will be many more community cases in NSW.
I understand these changes will cause frustration and uncertainty for some people, and be very upsetting for many families looking to reunite and spend Christmas together. This has been a difficult decision to make, but we need to follow the health advice and do what is in the best interest of all Western Australians.
Thank you for your co-operation and understanding during this difficult time.
Feature image: AAP Image/Richard Wainwright
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