Australia: Western Australia further adjusts border controls from 00:01 Aug. 26 due to COVID-19 concerns /update 39

Event

Western Australia will further adjust domestic border controls from 00:01 Aug. 26 amid ongoing COVID-19 concerns. Officials will designate New Zealand as medium risk, halting most travel from the country. Exemptions are possible for government, military, and Commonwealth officials; essential freight or logistics personnel; and other authorized entrants. The government will also permit a limited number of returning residents on compassionate grounds. Approved arrivals from New Zealand must self-quarantine for 14 days and take COVID-19 tests within two days of arrival and on day 12 of quarantine. Travelers already in Western Australia that visited exposure sites in New Zealand must also self-quarantine and undergo testing.

Local Restrictions
The government continues to implement limited COVID-19 restrictions statewide. Establishments must collect patrons' contact information; operators can use the SafeWA mobile application or manually collect the data. Police could issue fines for individuals violating contact tracing requirements up to AUD 50,000 and as high as AUD 250,000 for business violations; offenders could also face up to 12 months in jail. Companies must maintain COVID-19 Safety Plans and COVID-19 Event Plans for mass events.

Travel to most remote Aboriginal communities remains restricted throughout the state, though a few areas have partially reopened to visitors.

Domestic Border Controls
All arrivals in 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 Perth Airport (PER) and land border checkpoints. Officials could require some travelers to take COVID-19 tests upon arrival if health staff deem it necessary. Travelers from very low-risk locations in South Australia, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory can enter Western Australia without quarantine.

Authorities are classifying Queensland as low risk, permitting travel from the state. The government has designated the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and Victoria as medium risk; most travelers from medium-risk areas are banned, though exemptions exist for essential travelers. Travelers from low and medium-risk locations must self-quarantine for 14 days and undergo testing twice during the period. Officials will categorize New South Wales (NSW) as an extreme risk location from Aug. 26, and officials will ban almost all travel from the state. Exceptions are possible only for federal and state officials, members of parliament, diplomats, specialists, and those approved by senior Western Australia officials. Authorized entrants must have at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine if eligible, obtain a negative result from a PCR test within 72 hours before arrival, quarantine at state facilities for 14 days at their own expense, and undergo testing on specified days. Repatriating Western Australia residents who only completed quarantine in NSW can self-quarantine for 14 days after arriving in Western Australia.

Quarantine Requirements
Everyone 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 for one adult or AUD 3,360 for two adults in the same room. Additional people in a party cost AUD 840 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