Australia: Western Australia expanding entry restrictions for travelers from Victoria as of May 26 /update 26

Event

Western Australia is enhancing entry restrictions for travelers from Victoria as of May 26 to curb the spread of COVID-19. All travelers arriving from Victoria must get a COVID-19 test and self-quarantine until they receive a negative result. Arrivals who visited exposure sites during relevant times in Victoria must immediately get tested and self-quarantine until 14 days have passed since they visited the exposure site. Furthermore, they must receive COVID-19 tests on days two and 11 of quarantine. The measures apply regardless if individuals have visited Tier-1 or Tier-2 sites. Contact tracing is ongoing, and officials could further tighten border restrictions in the coming days.

Local Restrictions
Officials permit most indoor and outdoor venues, including restaurants, theaters, cinemas, places of worship, and stadiums, to operate at 75-percent capacity. The government allows establishments to operate under the existing capacity limits of one person per every two square meters (21 square feet) if the number is greater than 75-percent capacity. The new capacity limits do not apply to venues with unfixed seating, such as nightclubs, libraries, galleries, casinos, and museums, among others. These venues must continue to follow the two-square meter rule. The government mandates that businesses and cultural and leisure establishments collect patrons' contact information; operators can either use the SafeWA mobile application or manually collect the data. The government could issue fines to individuals up to AUD 50,000 (USD 39,059) and businesses up to AUD 250,000 (USD 195,295) or sentence offenders to jail time of up to 12 months for flouting contact tracing requirements.

Authorities continue to ban travel to most remote Aboriginal communities throughout the state, though a few have partially reopened or reopened to visitors.

Domestic Border Controls
Western Australia permits travel from most Australian states without quarantine. All arrivals to Western Australia must complete a G2G PASS declaration to enter the state. Officials continue health screenings and temperature checks and confirm G2G PASS declarations at PER and land border checkpoints.

Quarantine Requirements
All passengers entering Australia must quarantine in government-designated facilities for 14 days in the city of arrival. Western Australia charges all arriving travelers, including Australian citizens and permanent residents, for quarantine, payable after the quarantine period. Quarantine fees are AUD 2,520 (USD 1,959) for one adult or AUD 3,360 (USD 2,619) for two adults in the same room. Additional people in a party cost AUD 840 (USD 653) per room, except for children under six years old. Individuals must take a COVID-19 test before release.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by government health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Plan for transport disruptions and delivery delays at designated hotspot areas. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.

Resources

Western Australia Government
Western Australia Department of Health
Western Australia COVID-19 Roadmap
SafeWA
NSW Exposure Sites
Victoria Exposure Sites