Responding to Omicron Spread: Western Australia Government Applies Stricter Rules for the Reopening

Western Australia border is now officially opened. However, responding to the spread of the Omicron variant, the Western Australia state government decided to put strict rules for reopening the Western Australia border on 5 February 2022.

The strict rules are applicable for both interstate and international arrivals, requiring them to undergo a quarantine and get the third dose of COVID-19 vaccination.

Find more details below.

Previous Arrangements for Western Australia Border Reopening

Previously, Western Australia has applied some rules for both interstate and international arrivals to reopen the Western Australia border. Generally, the rules required both interstate and international travellers arriving in Western Australia must be fully vaccinated.

The Western Australian government also implemented COVID-19 testing before and after arriving in Western Australia. The COVID-19 testing enabled quarantine-free travel once the Western Australia border opened.

Mandatory mask-wearing was also required in some high-risk indoor settings, and people 16 years old and older must show their proof of vaccination in some public places.

Read more: Entering Australia in 2022: Digital Passenger Declaration to Replace Incoming Passenger Card

Western Australia Border Updated Arrangements

According to the latest update on the Western Australia government’s official website, the full opening of the Western Australia border will be delayed due to the spread of the Omicron variant in Australia. Only the approved travellers can enter Western Australia with testing and quarantine requirements. The criteria for approved travellers are:

• Returning Western Australians, with recent solid connections;
• Persons with direct legitimate family connections with WA;
• Compassionate grounds including funeral, palliative care or terminally ill visitation;
• Member of the family of an approved traveller;
• People entering for urgent and essential medical treatment;
• Reasons of national and state security;
• Commonwealth and State officials, Members of Parliament, Diplomats;
• Provision of specialist skills not available in WA, health services, emergency service workers;
• People required to attend court matters, judicial officers and staff of court, tribunals and commissions; and
• Special considerations and extraordinary circumstances are determined by the State Emergency Coordinator or Chief Health Officer.

Read more: Australian Government Lifts the Limitation of Working Hours for Student Visa Holders

Updated Arrangements for Interstate and International Arrival

Commencing on Wednesday, 9 February 2022, the following regulations will be implemented:

• If eligible, receive a triple dose vaccination (or a double dosage vaccination if not eligible for a third dose).
• Quarantine time for eligible international and interstate travelers has been reduced to 7 days.
• For the next seven days, travelers must wear a mask in both indoor and outdoor settings.
• If eligible, vaccinated direct international travelers are allowed to self-quarantine at a suitable location.
• The number of international arrivals is set to double to 530 every week.
• International arrivals who have not been vaccinated must spend 14 days in quarantine in a hotel.
• All new comers in self-quarantine are still obliged to use G2G.

Read more: Two New DAMA Programs Will Be Opened: Business can Access the Program in 2022!

Updated Regulations under Hard Border Settings

The Western Australian government also updated the regulations under hard border settings in relation to Western Australia border reopening as follows:

• On Day 1, approved travelers must complete a PCR or RAT, and on Day 7, they must return a negative RAT to finish their self-quarantine period.
• On Day 7, any household member will be expected to return a negative RAT.
• If the allowed travellers test positive during self-quarantine, any household member will be classified as a close contact.

Any travellers, positive cases, or asymptomatic close contacts currently in self-quarantine under the prior 14-day rules who have completed 7 days and returned a negative RAT are eligible to release quarantine.

If persons are symptomatic, they must remain isolated until the symptoms resolve.

Read more: State Nomination Update: NSW Submission Window is Opened, Queensland Postpone the Nomination Program

What does it mean to you?

You must be aware that all arrivals in Western Australia, both interstate and international, must undergo a 7-days quarantine. Additionally, you must have received the third dose of COVID-19 vaccination to enter Western Australia.

The updated regulations for the Western Australia border might raise your concern as the rules are stricter. However, please keep in mind that these regulations are for your safety and Western Australians.

Have you got an Australian visa to Enter Western Australia?

The reopening of the Western Australia border has been exciting news for international travellers, but have you got your Australian visa to enter Western Australia?

We fully understand that applying for a visa to Australia is certainly very complicated. It is even more challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our visa specialists at ONEderland Consulting will help you assess your visa options. We have a 98% success rate and are one of Australia’s most highly recommended migration agents. Read our 4.9* score customer reviews.

We are complex visa specialists. As registered Australian migration agents with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA), we are regulated in our professional practice and bound by the profession’s Code of Conduct issued by the Migration Agents Registration Authority.

Take the first step and get in touch with us. Our team members are professional, honest and speak various languages such as Mandarin/ Chinese, Bahasa Indonesia, Arabic, Japanese, and Thai. Contact us through email at [email protected] or via phone on 1300 827 159. Alternatively, you may book your consultation online, and it is backed by our 100% Money Back Guarantee Program.