Australia: Western Australia maintaining COVID-19 measures as of Aug. 18 /update 37

Event

Western Australia continues to implement limited COVID-19 restrictions statewide as of Aug. 18. 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 can enter Western Australia without quarantine. However, officials require visitors from the Northern Territory to undergo testing within 48 hours of arrival and self-quarantine until receiving a negative result. Travelers already in the state that also visited an exposure site in the Northern Territory must self-quarantine for 14 days and undergo testing.

Authorities are classifying South Australia as low risk, permitting travel from the state. The government has designated the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Queensland, 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 have categorized New South Wales as high risk. Permitted travelers must take a PCR COVID-19 test within 72 hours of departure and prove receipt of one COVID-19 vaccine dose, in addition to testing and quarantine requirements.

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