COVID testing key as hard border with QLD reinstated

WA hard border with QLD information.

WA will reinstate the hard border with Queensland from midnight tonight (12.01am, Saturday 9 January) in an effort to reduce the risk of the virus coming into the WA community.

Based on current health advice, Queensland will transition from a ‘very low risk’ State to a ‘medium risk’ State under our controlled interstate border, effective from 10.00am today (8 January).

Travellers arriving after 12.01am Saturday 9 January will be required to have a G2G exemption to travel.

Travel from Queensland will no longer be permitted, unless you are an exempt traveller. This also applies to anyone who may have been in Queensland since 2 January and hasn’t completed 14 days in a lower risk State or Territory.

The exemption list is limited to:
• certain senior Government officials
• certain active military personnel
• a member of the Commonwealth Parliament
• a person carrying out functions under a law of the Commonwealth
• a person responsible for transport freight or logistics
• anyone who is given approval by State Emergency Coordinator or an authorised officer.

The final category includes compassionate reasons - including those Western Australians that may have travelled to Queensland recently and need to return to WA. These people will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by WA Police and will be required to complete 14 days of self-quarantine and be tested for COVID-19 on arrival and on Day 11.

Effective immediately, anyone who has arrived in WA from Queensland since 2 January or was in Queensland from 2 January and has since arrived in WA will be required to do the following:

1. self-quarantine in a suitable premise until you have spent 14 days in WA
2. present for a COVID-19 test as soon as any symptoms develop
3. present for a COVID-19 test on within 72 hours
4. present for testing on Day 11 after arrival in WA

Travellers who wish to return to Queensland and do not want to present for testing must leave within 72 hours. They must remain in self-quarantine and then travel directly to the airport.

Anyone who has arrived from Queensland since 2 January will be contacted by WA Police with these instructions, as a result of the G2G Pass declaration system in place in WA.

All travellers arriving from 10.00am today will be tested upon arrival at the airport, and are required to self-quarantine for 14 days, and to be tested on Day 11.

Western Australians are also being urged to reconsider interstate travel plans, unless it is absolutely necessary.

Border restrictions remain in place for New South Wales and Victoria. Find out more here.

If you have been in contact with someone from Queensland recently, you don’t need to self-isolate but should get tested if you develop symptoms.

People presenting at COVID-19 clinics should anticipate delays, be mindful of the heat, take water and wear a hat. You have 72 hours to present, and priority in queues will be given to older persons and those with disabilities.

We ask people to remain patient and to be respectful of our staff and others waiting.

A full list of regional COVID testing sites is available here, or visit the page at healthywa.wa.gov.au.

For more information, please visit the State Government website.