WA reinstates hard border with Victoria

Western Australia is following South Australia's lead today with the announcement of a hard border to Victoria that will be effective from midnight tonight, as the now locked-down state is set to join New South Wales and Queensland as a 'medium risk' jurisdiction.

The move represents a rapid escalation since Wednesday when WA lifted Victoria's status from 'very low risk' to 'low risk', which has allowed for arrivals so long as they undertake 14 days of self-quarantine and get tested for COVID-19 on arrival.

But as of 12:01am tomorrow nobody who has been in Victoria in the past two weeks will be allowed in, except for those who secure exemptions such as government officials, military personnel, members of the Commonwealth Parliament, state emergency coordinators and others.

The WA Government has urged residents who have been to Victoria recently to return home now and complete the two-week self-quarantine period.

Anyone who is in WA but has been to Victoria recently will also be asked to monitor the Victorian Health website for updated exposure locations.

"The escalating situation on the east coast is very concerning and our thoughts are with NSW and Victoria as they try to bring the growing Delta outbreak under control," says Acting Premier Stephen Dawson.

"WA's hard border is vital to protect Western Australians from the spread of COVID-19 from other jurisdictions.

"I appreciate these new border arrangements may cause inconvenience but we need to do everything necessary to protect the health of Western Australians."

The announcement comes as South Australia set up a hard border to its Victorian neighbours overnight, along with several other new restrictions for South Australians such as stricter density limits, mask requirements in indoor venues with more than 50 per cent of normal occupancy, and bans on dancing as well as the on-site purchase and consumption of shisha.

Updated at 12:45pm AWST on 16 July 2021.