West Australian police commissioner forced into Covid-19 quarantine after passing through Sydney

One state’s police commissioner has been forced to self-isolate after passing through Sydney Airport on his way home.

Western Australia’s police commissioner will miss a family wedding after being forced to self-quarantine – like everyone else – because he briefly passed through Sydney.

Chris Dawson recently travelled to Canberra for the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission board meeting, his first in-person visit since November 2019.

After the meeting, Mr Dawson took annual leave in the Australian Capital Territory with his wife, who paid for her own travel.

“Commissioner Dawson originally planned to fly to Canberra via Melbourne, but changed his flights to travel via Sydney after an outbreak of Covid-19 in Victoria,” a police spokeswoman said.

On June 15, the couple spent about one hour in-transit at Sydney Airport, where they changed planes.

It means they must self-quarantine at home until June 30.

West Australian police commissioner Chris Dawson will miss a family wedding. Picture: Matt Jelonek / Getty Images

“I understand everyone’s frustration when things change in the Covid environment,” Mr Dawson said in a statement.

“I have to follow the rules like any other member of the community and am regrettably missing a family wedding as a result of my quarantine requirements.

“As I’ve said from the outset, we’re not discriminating against people.

“We’re discriminating against the virus and we all have to do our bit to protect WA.”

Mr Dawson will be working from home while he is self-isolating.

Following updated health advice related to the COVID-19 outbreak in NSW, WA has strengthened its border controls.

NSW has transitioned from 'very low risk' (with a test and quarantine regime) to 'medium risk' under our controlled interstate border, effective from 11am today. pic.twitter.com/uuMnLuCN18

— Mark McGowan (@MarkMcGowanMP) June 23, 2021

Western Australia reintroduced its hard border with NSW on Wednesday after the outbreak in Sydney escalated.

It means NSW is now deemed a “medium risk” state and only exempt travellers will be allowed to enter Western Australia.

“We’ve been monitoring the situation closely and have scaled up our border controls as required, to keep our community safe,” Premier Mark McGowan said in a statement at the time.

“Naturally, these immediate changes will cause inconvenience, but the hard border is necessary to protect the health of Western Australians.”

Mr McGowan also urged NSW to “crush and kill” the virus.

“I’d just urge the NSW government to get this under control because this is a threat and a risk to the rest of the country,” he told reporters.

“If that means a lockdown, well then that’s what should happen.”

Originally published as West Australian police commissioner forced into Covid-19 quarantine after passing through Sydney