WA reopens to SA, introduces hard border with New Zealand

Western Australia’s border arrangements with South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and New Zealand will be adjusted from midnight tonight (AWST) following the latest COVID-19 updates in Australia and across the ditch.

The changes will see WA reopen to SA entirely and a hard border imposed with New Zealand, reflecting the ever-changing COVID-19 situation.

South Australia will transition from 'low risk' to 'very low risk'. Under the 'very low risk' settings, safe travel is permitted into WA subject to the following conditions:

• completion of a G2G Pass declaration, stipulating the traveller does not have any COVID-19 symptoms and which jurisdictions they have visited in the previous 14 days;
• all Perth Airport arrivals to undergo a health screening and temperature test;
• travellers to be prepared to take a COVID-19 test, if deemed necessary by a health clinician (voluntary asymptomatic testing also available); and
• land arrivals to be met at the border checkpoint for a health screening and to have their G2G Pass declaration checked.   

"In promising news, after 34 days of no community cases, safe travel from South Australia is now permitted after tough lockdown measures enabled them to crush its local outbreak,” WA Premier Mark McGowan said.

With New Zealand’s COVID-19 outbreak now reaching 148 cases, WA will impose a hard border with the country, elevating it from ‘low risk’ to ‘medium risk’.

As such, travel from New Zealand will no longer be permitted except for approved travellers.

Approved travellers arriving in Western Australia from New Zealand must:

• self-quarantine in a suitable premise for 14 days;
• present for an initial COVID-19 test within 48 hours;
• present for a COVID-19 test if any symptoms develop during quarantine; and
• present for a COVID-19 test on day 12 after arrival in WA (if still in WA).    

"With growing case numbers in New Zealand, WA will be putting in place a hard border with New Zealand from midnight tonight,” McGowan said.

"The various outbreaks in Australia and in New Zealand are heartbreaking and our thoughts are with everyone impacted."

Also from midnight, Queensland will transition from 'medium risk' to 'low risk'. This means travel is permitted from Queensland with the following strict conditions: 

• present for a COVID-19 test on arrival (within 48 hours) and on day 12;
• self-quarantine for 14 days in a suitable premise;
• complete a G2G Pass declaration prior to arrival, stipulating they do not have any COVID-19 symptoms and which jurisdictions they have visited in the previous 14 days;
• land arrivals to be met at the border checkpoint for a health screening and to have their G2G Pass declaration checked before proceeding to their self-quarantine. 

As previously announced, from midnight tonight New South Wales will be elevated to 'extreme risk'. Under the new 'extreme risk' category, travel from New South Wales to Western Australia will not be permitted.

"Western Australia's border controls have been our best defence in eliminating COVID-19 within our community, protecting our health and our economy,” WA Health Minister Roger Cook said.

"We need to stay vigilant with outbreaks growing as the deadly Delta strain continues to wreak havoc.

"It's so important that we continue to listen to the health advice. Please stay home if you're unwell, get tested if you develop symptoms and get the COVID-19 vaccine if you're eligible."

Updated at 2.06pm AEST on 25 August 2021.