The Department of Health’s Safe Transition Plan from the COVID-19 virus will come into force on 5 February next year, when hard border controls will be eased in line with the achievement of the State’s 90 per cent vaccination rate.
In a statement, the Department said the locked-in transition date was based on the latest projections for when the State was at its target rate of 90 per cent double-dose vaccination for eligible Western Australians aged 12 years and above.
“WA’s current zero-COVID environment and high vaccination rate will help deliver the softest landing, to minimise the impact of the virus when it enters our State and to keep Western Australians safe for the long term,” it said.
“To safely enable quarantine-free travel into the State, there will be new testing requirements for arrivals to assist with the safe transition out of COVID-19 in the WA community.”
Premier, Mark McGowan said the locked-in safe transition date would be welcome news to many Western Australians who had abided by border controls, doing their bit to keep the State safe.
“Being cautious, patient and listening to the health advice has enabled Western Australia to reach a high level of vaccination, which will provide a soft landing when the virus arrives here,” Mr McGowan said.
“While information about the Omicron variant of the virus is still preliminary, it is clear that vaccination — including the third booster dose — is absolutely crucial in combatting it,” he said.
Minister for Health, Roger Cook said COVID-19 would become a reality when the borders reopened “so we need to be prepared”.
“We need to make sure all Western Australians get their third dose when they become eligible,” Mr Cook said.
“There are hundreds of clinics, GPs and pharmacies where they can get vaccinated,” he said.
“We also want as many Western Australian children vaccinated before school starts next year,” Mr Cook said.
