The Western Australia Police have stepped up border protection measures in light of the unfolding COVID-19 situations in Victoria and NSW.
The new arrangements were put in place based on advice from the Chief Health Officer and Police Commissioner.
Minister for Health, Roger Cook said that anyone coming to Western Australia from Victoria, unless exempt, would be given a direction to quarantine in a hotel facility, at their cost, and must meet mandatory testing requirements.
“Anyone coming from NSW will be subject to mandatory COVID-19 testing. They will also be required to undergo a 14-day self-quarantine period, unless exempt,” Mr Cook said.
He said that among exemptions were certain senior Government officials; certain active military personnel; a member of the Commonwealth Parliament or their staff; a person coming to WA at the request of the Chief Health Officer; and a person responsible for transport freight or logistics.
“Our message to any Western Australian thinking of traveling over east is simple — don’t go,” Mr Cook said.
“It’s in the interests of all Western Australians that this travel ceases immediately.
“We’ve got some of the toughest measures in place already but we’ve always maintained that if we have to make them tougher, we will.”
He said he made no apology when it came to better protecting the health of Western Australians and further mitigating the risk of COVID-19 in the State’s community.
“We’ll continue to monitor the evolving situation over east and as always, will take into account the best of health advice for Western Australians,” Mr Cook said.
