WA introduces new 'extreme risk' border control category for New South Wales

The Western Australian Government has created a new border control category of 'extreme risk', strengthening restrictions on would-be travellers from New South Wales into the state.

The State's Premier Mark McGowan said the new category was created to further protect Western Australians from the sustained outbreaks of the COVID-19 Delta strain in the country's east.

Based on the latest health advice, the 'high risk' category has been upgraded and a new 'extreme risk' category has been added to WA's controlled border arrangements.

In addition to 14 days of self-quarantine and COVID-19 tests on days two and 12 for approved travellers only, additional conditions will be applied under the 'high risk' category:

• 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. 

Additional conditions under the new 'extreme risk' category will include:

• mandatory hotel quarantine for 14 days at a State quarantine facility;
• exemptions restricted to Commonwealth, State and specialist functions only; and
• COVID-19 tests on days one, five and 12. 

As a guide, the trigger point for the 'high risk' category will be an average of more than 50 new community cases per day and the trigger point for the 'extreme risk' category will be an average of more than 500 new community cases per day.

"The health advice is clear in that the Delta strain is significantly more contagious than previous strains of COVID-19 and there is emerging evidence that it leads to more severe outcomes," Premier Mark McGowan said.

"We only have to look to NSW to see the devastation that this strain can cause in people and to the economy.

"My Government's priority is to protect Western Australians' health and ensure we have one of the freest and open economies in the world."

Updated at 2.01pm AEST on 13 August 2021.