The Department of Health has developed a COVID-19 testing regime for border workers and hotel quarantine staff.
The new volunteer testing program, DETECT Borders, will run until 30 November.
Minister for Health, Roger Cook said free testing was available at COVID clinics in the metropolitan and regional areas, and some testing would also be facilitated in the affected workplaces to maximise participation.
Mr Cook said the hard borders and quarantine program had been highly effective in preventing COVID-19 transmission into the State.
“While WA has not had any community transmission for months on end, those patrolling our borders and enforcing restrictions, and are at a greater risk of infection from returning travellers, will have the option to undertake this asymptomatic testing as an extra precaution,” Mr Cook said.
“Through weekly testing of front-line workers in our border defence, any cases of COVID-19 will be swiftly detected, and any subsequent outbreak prevented or stopped in its tracks as quickly as possible.”
He said DETECT Borders complemented existing testing requirements for exempt travellers and other groups such as transport, freight and logistics.
People who fit the criteria for asymptomatic testing can resume normal activities immediately and will be informed of a negative result via SMS,” the Minister said.
“Anyone who tests positive will be followed up in line with existing public health procedures.”
He said the aim was maximum participation by ensuring convenient testing was available to even the most remote border workers.
