The Premier has announced WA’s Safe Transition Plan to ease controlled borders

Premier Mark McGowan says Western Australia will open its borders when 90 per cent of the state’s population aged above 12 years old are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

He has currently forecast this to take place in late January or early February. A specific date will be announced after an 80% double dose vaccination rate is reached, which is expected to be next month.

McGowan says his approach will allow us to safely ease our border controls with other States and resume international travel – while limiting the impact of COVID when it reaches WA.

A Breakdown Of The Plan:

Vaccination Rates

WA’s Safe Transition Plan will take effect when Western Australia reaches a 90% double dose vaccination rate for people aged 12 and over. Currently, this is forecast to take place in late January or early February.

This date will be announced and locked in after we reach an 80% double dose vaccination rate.

The decision to target a 90% vaccination rate is based on extensive modelling which shows the rates of community infections, hospitalisations and deaths are far lower if we make this change at 90%, when compared with an 80% target.

The 90% threshold is a State-wide vaccination rate. However, if there are regional areas with low vaccination rates, then pending the health advice at the time, restrictions on travel within WA to protect these specific regions may need to be introduced.

Baseline public health and social measures

In order to ease our controlled border, when the 90% double dose vaccination target is hit some safeguards will be required:

• Face masks will be required – but only at high-risk indoor settings, including on public transport, in hospitals, and aged care facilities,
• -Proof of vaccination will be required to attend nightclubs, the casino and large events with crowds of more than 1,000 people
• -Contact registers and use of SafeWA will still be required at all public venues, as will revised COVID Event and Safety Plans
• -Entry will be restricted to remote Aboriginal communities, where necessary.

These are interim safeguard measures.

Interstate arrivals

Our controlled border will be eased with some conditions:

• Double dose vaccinated arrivals only (those eligible for the vaccine)

• Return a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to departure

• Undertake a test upon entering WA (to be phased out, pending a review)

Overseas arrivals

International arrivals will resume with some conditions:

• International arrivals won’t be subject to quarantine if they’re double dosed vaccinated, however those who are not double dose vaccinated will be required to complete 14 days quarantine in a designated facility
• Complete a G2G Pass
• Return a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to departure
• Undertake a test on arrival (to be phased out, pending a review)

The border controls and G2G Pass requirements will be reviewed regularly and phased out when appropriate, based on the health advice at the time.

Feature image: AAP Image/Richard Wainwright

For the latest COVID-19 updates visit wa.gov.au

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