Western Australia will introduce a hard border with South Australia today after declaring the southern state 'medium risk' in response to an outbreak of COVID-19 there which grew to 12 cases yesterday afternoon.
The new border restrictions, which come into effect from midday (AWST) today, mean all travellers from SA are banned from entering WA, and those who receive exemptions must quarantine for two weeks on arrival.
In addition, exempt travellers must get tested within 48 hours of arrival and again on day 12.
The new border rules bring SA in line with restrictions in WA on travellers from New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria.
Tasmania and the Northern Territory remain at 'very low risk' status, meaning WA is still welcoming travellers from those jurisdictions.
"The message to West Australians who are in South Australia is to come home now," WA Premier Mark McGowan said.
WA recorded no new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 today, five in hotel quarantine, and ten onboard the BBC California cargo ship currently docked in Fremantle Harbour.
Updated at 11.00am AEST on 22 July 2021.
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