Coronavirus crisis: WA’s path to reopening borders explained

West Australian residents have received more detail on its long-awaited path out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While there a currently few internal restrictions, anyone wishing to enter WA from interstate or overseas must obtain a G2G pass and undergo quarantine.

These restriction will be lifted once WA achieves 90 per cent vaccination for people aged 12 and above, expected to be in late January or early February.

A specific date for the lifting of these restrictions will be locked in once the State reaches 80 per cent vaccination, expected in the first half of December.

From that date, interstate travel will resume but all arrivals will be required to be fully vaccinated and return a negative test.

Fully vaccinated international travellers won’t need to isolate but those who are unvaccinated must undergo 14 days quarantine.

All arrivals will require a G2G pass

However, the lifting of travel restrictions will mean an increased risk of community transmission of COVID-19

This will mean face masks must be worn in high-risk indoor settings including public transport, hospitals and aged care facilities.

Proof of vaccination will be required to attend large events with crowds of more than 1000 people as well nightclubs and the casino.

Entry to remote Indigenous communities will remain restricted and contact registers will still be used.

The WA Government has not ruled out restricting travel between regions should vaccination rates be insufficient outside the metropolitan area.

Premier Mark McGowan said on Friday the Government would release Health Department modelling that showed a significant reduction in hospitalisations reopening at 90 per cent vaccination.

“The difference in easing border controls at 90 per cent rather than 80 per cent is 200 West Australian lives are saved,” he said.

“The differences are stark. They cannot be ignored, nor can the benefits.”

With AAP