Western Australia’s border will officially reopen to New South Wales and Victoria in time for Christmas, more than eight months after it was slammed shut.
Premier Mark McGowan announced on Tuesday that residents in the two states will be allowed into WA – quarantine free – from 12.01am on Tuesday, December 8.
Travellers will, however, be subject to a health screening and temperature check on arrival, they must be prepared to take a COVID test if deemed necessary, travellers must complete a G2G pass declaration and they must confirm they have not been in contact with anyone from South Australia.
The decision, which will bring the restrictions in line with Tasmania, Queensland, the ACT and the Northern Territory, was made after updated health advice was issued by Chief Health Officer Andy Robertson.
“I know the border arrangements have put pressure on families and have been hard to comprehend at times,” McGowan told reporters.
“I want all Western Australians to know that every decision we have made throughout the pandemic has been made to protect our community based on expert health advice.”
The state changed from a hard border to a controlled one on November 14, which required travellers from Victoria, NSW and South Australia to quarantine for two weeks upon arrival.
McGowan said the state was “not yet at the point where we can relax the current border controls” with South Australia.
South Australians will continue to be required to quarantine on arrival as health authorities take a cautious approach.
”South Australia will remain in the medium-risk category at least until December 11. A review into this arrangement will be undertaken next week,” he added.
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