QLD and SA to transition to ‘extreme risk’ states from 6pm December 31 under controlled border

Effective 6pm Friday, December 31, Queensland and South Australia will transition from ‘high risk’ to ‘extreme risk’ under WA’s controlled border.

•    Travel will not be permitted into WA except in extraordinary circumstances.
•    Current approved travellers under the ‘high risk’ category should return urgently.

Queensland and South Australia will both be elevated to the ‘extreme risk’ category under Western Australia’s controlled border from 6pm on Friday, December 31, following the latest health advice.

Both States are seeing a significant spike in COVID-19 cases, with the arrival and spread of the Omicron variant expected to result in a sustained increase in infections.

Under the ‘extreme risk’ category, travel from Queensland or South Australia to WA will not be permitted unless approved under the strictest of conditions.

Exemptions for approved travellers will be further restricted to Commonwealth and State officials, Members of Parliament, Diplomats, and specialist or extraordinary circumstances determined by the State Emergency Coordinator or the Chief Health Officer.

Approved travellers are subject to the following conditions, unless otherwise advised:
•    be double dose vaccinated against COVID-19, if eligible;
•    have returned a negative COVID-19 PCR test in the past 72 hours before departing;
•    undertake hotel quarantine at a State facility for 14 days at their expense; and
•    get tested for COVID-19 on days one, five and 13.
 
Current approved travellers under the ‘high risk’ category in Queensland or South Australia who wish to return to WA should do so urgently.

The Chief Health Officer will continue to monitor and review the State’s controlled border settings. For more information about WA’s controlled border, visit https://www.wa.gov.au.