WA to force NSW travellers to be vaccinated before entering the state

The Prime Minister is backing an unprecedented move by one state to force a group of travellers to prove they’re vaccinated.

The Prime Minister has thrown his support behind Western Australia’s unprecedented plan to force New South Wales travellers to be vaccinated before arriving to the state.

From August 17, NSW travellers approved to enter WA under its hard border arrangements must provide proof of a negative PCR test in the 72 hours prior to departure and a receipt showing at least one dose of a vaccine where eligible.

They must also use the G2G Now app in addition to 14 days of self-quarantine and virus tests on days two and 12.

Scott Morrison backed the decision, saying it was consistent with what the national plan was seeking to achieve.

“I do welcome the requirements for vaccination. This is for people who are otherwise getting an exemption to come into WA and the Premier has added to that,” he told reporters on Friday.

“That’s not unlike the sorts of things we’ve been talking about for some time that where people are vaccinated and an exemption has been granted, well the vaccination aids that exemption being given on public health grounds.

“So, I think that’s very consistent with what the national plan is seeking to achieve, and as I said last week, all premiers and chief ministers strongly committed and agreed to the national plan.”

West Australian Premier Mark McGowan says the tough measures are needed to protect his state. Picture: Matt Jelonek/Getty Images

WA Premier Mark McGowan said the move was tough but fair.

“These are tough measures but they are necessary to protect the state,” he said.

“This hasn’t been done before in Australia. We haven’t actually ever said you have to be vaccinated to travel between the states.

“We’ve done it for overseas countries ... but I think it’s entirely fair.”

It comes as NSW recorded a further two deaths and 390 new local cases overnight.

“This is very concerning for the entire country,” Mr McGowan said.

“The risk to WA is too high.”

The Premier said 61 people had arrived from NSW in the past two days, with another 43 expected later on Friday.

NSW will be deemed a “high risk” state under changes to WA’s controlled interstate border rules.

Another classification is also being added to the matrix — “extreme”, which will be triggered when the average number of daily cases passes 500.

Exemptions will be limited to commonwealth, state and specialist functions.

They will be forced into hotel quarantine at a state facility for two weeks, and must also be tested on days one, five and 12.

In response to the latest health advice from the Chief Health Officer, we will be strengthening our safe and sensible...

Posted by Mark McGowan on Thursday, August 12, 2021

Mr McGowan also announced the Australian Capital Territory would be bumped up to a “medium risk” from 12.01am on Saturday.

“This will return WA to hard border arrangements with the ACT,” he said.

“Travel from ACT will no longer be permitted, unless you are an approved traveller.

“This also applies to anyone who may have been in ACT since and has not completed 14 days of quarantine in a lower risk state or territory.”

Approved travellers must self-quarantine for 14 days, get a Covid-19 test within 48 hours and on day 12.

“People who have recently travelled to the ACT are urged to return to WA now,” Mr McGowan said.

Meanwhile, South Australia will be designated a “low risk” state from 12.01am on Saturday, meaning travellers will no longer require an exemption.

WA has the toughest travel measures in the country. Picture: Matt Jelonek/Getty Images

Mr McGowan said compassionate guidelines would also be adjusted to ensure people who recently left WA and had a legitimate right to return, would be offered a pathway to come back subject to relevant quarantine conditions and evidence.

WA recorded no new cases overnight, leaving just four active cases.

Two people are in hotel quarantine, while a fly-in fly-out worker remains in self-quarantine and one person from the Darya Krishna cargo ship remains in intensive care in hospital.

The vessel is expected to leave Fremantle Port on August 17, according to Mr McGowan.