Western Australia announces border reopening

On Friday, 18th February, the Western Australian Premier, Mark McGowan, announced that as of 12:01 am on Thursday, March 3rd, Western Australia would re-open its border to triple-dosed interstate travellers. 

The Premier had initially delayed the border re-opening to provide young West Australians with sufficient time to receive their first dose and others their third dose. Currently, 55.3% of Western Australians aged 16 and over have received a third dose of a vaccine.  

Western Australia recorded 202 new Covid cases yesterday, a new daily record, with the Premier conceding that “the virus is already here, and we cannot stop its spread”

Interstate Travellers 

Alongside being triple-dosed, interstate travellers to Western Australia will be required to have a registered G2G Pass and undertake a rapid antigen test on arrival (within 12 hours and report any positive result).

The State Government will provide a rapid antigen test to each interstate arrival. Last month, the government launched the Service WA app which allows patrons to check into WA businesses as well as access their G2G Pass and their Covid vaccination certificate. All interstate travellers are encouraged to download the app. 

International Travellers 

Double dose vaccinated international travellers will no longer have to quarantine however, they will have to: 

• meet Commonwealth Government requirements to enter Australia
• be fully vaccinated under the Commonwealth requirements, unless they have a medical exemption 
• have a registered G2G Pass;
• undertake a rapid antigen test on arrival (within 12 hours and report any positive result); and

Any unvaccinated returning Australians will be required to complete hotel quarantine.

Updated Restrictions 

Modelling released by WA health suggests that the state will reach a peak of 10,000 new cases a day by the end of March. To reduce the spread of the virus, the Premier has introduced some additional public health and social measures.

As of 6 am Monday 20th February 2022:

• Indoor mask mandate will be extended to apply for the entire state 
• Workplaces will be encouraged to take Covid-safe measures however no working from home mandates have been announced

In Perth, Peel, the Southwest, Great Southern, Wheatbelt and the Pilbara:

• A two square metre capacity limit for venues will come into effect
  • Nightclubs must follow the two square metre rule, but crowds are capped at 500 people.
• Forward-facing seated entertainment venues, such as theatres and cinemas, can have a 75 per cent capacity as can major stadiums.

Updated Restrictions in remote Aboriginal Communities  

In addition to the existing indoor mask requirements, proof of vaccination, contact registration and restrictions to remote Aboriginal communities, the following restrictions will also apply:

• home gatherings limited to a total of 30 people;
• private outdoor gatherings (not at a private residence) limited to a total of 200 people;
• two square metre rule introduced for hospitality, fitness venues, entertainment venues, cultural venues, places of worship, hairdressers and beauty services;
• 75 per cent capacity for seated entertainment venues (forward facing), such as theatres, cinemas and stadiums
  • 500-person capacity limit at nightclubs, in addition to the two square metre rule;
• visitation at residential aged care and disability care facilities, and hospitals limited to four visitors per patient/resident per day, exemptions for compassionate reasons

The Premier has stated that current restrictions will be in place for a minimum of two weeks and then be subject to an ongoing review.

For more information, please contact Emma Ramage, Western Australian Director on +61 430 811 929.