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Western Australia will reclassify Victoria as a ‘high risk’ jurisdiction from midnight on Monday, 6 September, as the COVID-19 situation in the eastern state worsens.
The adjustments mean from 12.01am on Monday, anyone entering WA from Victoria, or who has travelled through the state in the past 14 days, will be subject to the following conditions:
- proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test in the 72 hours prior to departure;
- proof of receipt of at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, where eligible;
- a mandatory requirement to use the G2G Now app on arrival in WA; and
- COVID-19 tests on days two and 12.
It comes as Victoria today reported 208 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases, 96 of whom have been linked to known cases and outbreaks.
In addition, WA’s chief health officer has recommended changes to the ‘medium risk’ settings under the state’s controlled border arrangements.
As such, effective Monday, approved travellers are required to undertake a pre-travel COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to departure to give greater certainty of the non-infectious status of travellers entering WA.
The state says the changes are in response to the escalating situation in the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales.
Under WA's controlled border arrangements, South Australia, Northern Territory and Tasmania are currently classified as 'very low risk' jurisdictions, which means travellers from and through these jurisdictions are not subject to self-quarantine and regular COVID-19 testing requirements.
Queensland is currently at 'low risk' settings, the Australian Capital Territory is under 'medium risk' settings and New South Wales is classified as an 'extreme risk' jurisdiction.
"Our thoughts are with our friends in Victoria, the ACT and New South Wales as they battle through their growing outbreaks,” WA Premier Mark McGowan said.
"Upon the latest advice from the Chief Health Officer we are implementing some additional safeguards to give greater certainty to Western Australians that approved travellers entering from higher risk settings like Victoria and the ACT are doing so safely.
"These adjustments under our controlled border arrangements strengthen the requirements for approved travellers entering our State.”
Updated at 10.10am AEST on 3 September 2021.
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