Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan reveals when borders will open

Premier Mark McGowan has revealed a string of new changes in WA, including the likely month when the state’s borders will reopen.

Premier Mark McGowan has revealed a crushing blow to Australians hoping to enter Western Australia — with borders unlikely to open before February.

WA is due to partially open to New South Wales at midnight after downgrading its “extreme risk” designation, allowing West Australians to return home subject to quarantine conditions.

But Mr McGowan has now provided further detail around the state’s full reopening plan, which includes the likely easing of border restrictions “in late January or early February” when the state reaches 90 per cent double-dose vaccination rate for people aged 12 and above.

“Our transition is a world-first,” Mr McGowan said as he announced the plan today.

“What’s unique about our plan is that it’s intended for border controls to ease at a point where there is no community transmission in Western Australia, combined with very, very high levels of vaccination.

“This puts us in the best possible position to transition with minimal impact on our health, our economy, and our way of life. We have done so well. We do not want to fall at the last hurdle.”

Premier of Western Australia, Mark McGowan, has revealed the state’s reopening plan. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Tony McDonough

He added that the state will likely reach 80 per cent in December, but “unfortunately” that’s not quite enough to reopen to the rest of the country — despite that figure being the milestone outlined in the national plan.

“The most important thing is it is a cautious and safe plan,” he said.

“The sooner you get vaccinated, the sooner the safe transition plan can kick in. It’s in your hands...before it’s too late.”

Mr McGowan said he will not rule out cutting off certain regions within the state should a community not reach a high rate of vaccination in 2022.

The state recorded no new cases of Covid-19 overnight, with double doses currently sitting at just 67.3 per cent. This means another two million people will need to be vaccinated before the state can reopen.

“Intrastate borders to protect those specific regions may need to be introduced,” the Premier said.

“This measure would be in place until the vaccination rate in those regions is lifted to satisfactory levels....this is not something I want to do.”

Mark McGowan will not reopen until 90 per cent is reached. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Tony McDonough

Mr McGowan provided a grim outlook for the state should it reopen at 80 per cent rather than 90 per cent.

“Put simply, if we eased our borders earlier at 80 per cent, modelling suggests widespread community transmission would result in far more infections, hospitalisations, and deaths,” the Premier said.

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

“I understand there will be disappointment for some. I acknowledge some people will be frustrated. They may not be able to be reunited with family from New South Wales or Victoria over Christmas. But as difficult as it is, it is for the right reasons.”

Rules to stay for travel when state reaches 90 per cent

The WA Premier outlined that once the state reached the 90 per cent double-dose vaccination,

“travel will be permitted from all jurisdictions across Australia”. But there will be certain restrictions and measures for arrivals from interstate and overseas.

“They will be required to be double-dose vaccinated, return a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to departure, and undertake a test within 48 hours of entering WA,” he explained.

“All arrivals from overseas will be required to return a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to departure and undertake a test within 48 hours of arrival.

“International arrivals won’t be subject to quarantine if they’re double-dose vaccinated. But international arrivals who are not double-dose vaccinated will be required to complete 14 days’ quarantine in a designated facility.”

WA will keep borders closed until 90 per cent vaccination is reached. Picture: Peter PARKS / AFP.

Until now, WA was the only state to not have publicly released a Covid reopening road map. Mr McGowan said the reopening plan had been in the works “for weeks”, but said the reason for the Friday release is because he needed a few more days to add in the finishing touches.

Prior to Friday’s announcement, Mr McGowan said the state would not relax border restrictions with Covid-infected states before Christmas.

All eyes have been on when borders in WA will reopen to the whole country. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Tony McDonough

He had also flagged that many other restrictions, such as the easing of any face mask rules, would not occur until after the school holidays finished at the end of January.

Mr McGowan’s announcement comes a week after South Australian Premier Steven Marshall announced he would ease domestic border restrictions for double-vaccinated people from November 23.

In contrast, Tasmania will allow domestic travel to resume for double-jabbed people from December 15, a date when the state is estimated to reach a 90 per cent vaccination rate.

Queensland’s Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk promised the state would reopen to double-jabbed Australians from month.

WA have revealed when the borders will reopen to both domestic and international travel. Picture: Matt Jelonek/Getty Images.

Ms Palaszczuk said Queensland would begin a phased border reopening for fully vaccinated people from November 19, with fully vaccinated travellers being allowed to enter Queensland without the need to quarantine from December 17.

Ms Palaszczuk suggested if vaccine thresholds were reached sooner, the December 17 date may be brought forward, however the state is currently sitting at just 64 per cent.

More to come