WA border reopening to Victoria and NSW but not South Australia

Travellers from Victoria and NSW will be allowed to enter WA without quarantining from next week, but people from one state will still need an exemption.

WA will reopen to Victoria and NSW from December 8. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

WA’s border will reopen to travellers from Victoria and NSW next week without requiring them to quarantine, but anyone coming from South Australia will still need an exemption.

Premier Mark McGowan said Victoria had reached the 28-day milestone of no community spread of COVID-19 following its deadly second wave, and NSW was expected to hit the same mark later this week.

“It has been a remarkable effort from Victoria in particular,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

“It’s an outstanding achievement, unrivalled around the world.”

Pending no further outbreaks, WA will reopen to Victoria and NSW on December 8 as the states are now deemed “very low risk”.

“Fourteen days of self quarantine will no longer be required ... with Victoria and NSW falling into line with other Australian jurisdictions, except for South Australia,” Mr McGowan said.

WA Premier Mark McGowan warns the hard border may return if there is a coronavirus outbreak in another state. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

All airport arrivals must undergo a health screening and temperature test, and be prepared to take a COVID-19 test if deemed necessary.

Travellers must also complete a G2G Pass declaring they have no coronavirus symptoms and outlining which jurisdictions they have been in over the past two weeks.

They will also need to confirm they have not knowingly mixed with anyone from SA.

Land arrivals will be met at the border checkpoint for a health screening and to have their G2G Pass declaration checked.

Mr McGowan said setting the reopening date for next week was “appropriate” because it would allow police, health officials, airlines and Perth Airport time to prepare.

WA's hard border transitioned to a controlled interstate border earlier this month. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

WA’s border will stay closed to SA following its recent outbreak, with the state deemed “medium risk” until at least December 11.

“The chief health officer still has concerns about South Australia,” Mr McGowan said.

“Our record has now been perfect when it comes to no community spread for the last eight months and we want to keep it that way.

“We’re one of the only places in the entire world that can say that.”

WA has gone 233 days without community transmission.

The controlled interstate border was introduced earlier this month, but Mr McGowan has repeatedly warned the hard border would return if it was needed.

“We will not hesitate to reinstate the hard border if there are outbreaks over east and we get medical advice to do so,” he said.

Mr McGowan said his parents lived in NSW and he hoped to see them “some time in the future”.

Passengers must have their G2G Pass verified at the airport. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

The Premier also announced a change to physical distancing rules.

Effective immediately, places of worship will be exempt from the 2 sqm rule and will be able to operate at a 60 per cent capacity.

It was previously announced that contact registers, including the option of using QR codes, would be introduced at many businesses and venues from December 5.

WA recorded three new cases of coronavirus overnight — two people who travelled from the UK and another from Macedonia, but they are all in hotel quarantine.

It brings the state’s total number of infections to 821.