Australia: Western Australia to ease restrictions in Greater Perth from July 12 /update 33

Event

Western Australia authorities will ease restrictions in the Perth and Peel regions from July 12 due to reduced COVID-19 concerns. The move will bring the metropolitan area in line with statewide measures. The government continues to require establishments throughout Western Australia to collect patrons' contact information; operators can either use the SafeWA mobile application or manually collect the data. Police could issue fines for individuals violating contact tracing requirements up to AUD 50,000 and as high as AUD 250,000 for business violations; offenders could also face up to 12 months in jail. Companies must maintain COVID-19 Safety Plans and COVID-19 Event Plans for mass events.

Travel to most remote Aboriginal communities remains restricted throughout the state, though a few areas have partially reopened to visitors.

Domestic Border Controls
Western Australia continues to implement border controls for some locations in Australia. The government classifies the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) as low risk and New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland as medium risk. Authorities ban travelers from medium-risk locations unless they apply for and are granted an exemption in advance. Officials require individuals with recent travel history in low-risk states and permitted travelers from medium-risk locations to self-quarantine or quarantine at government-designated locations for 14 days after arrival. Entrants must also undergo mandatory COVID-19 testing. Travelers from very low-risk locations can enter Western Australia without quarantine. However, officials require people that visited announced exposure sites in Tasmania since June 26 to get a COVID-19 test, self-quarantine until receiving a negative result, and wear a facemask when traveling for testing.

All arrivals in Western Australia must complete a G2G PASS declaration to enter the state. Officials continue health screenings and temperature checks and confirm G2G PASS declarations at Perth Airport (PER) and land border checkpoints. Officials could require some travelers to take COVID-19 tests upon arrival if health staff deem it necessary.

Quarantine Requirements
Everyone entering Australia must quarantine in government-designated facilities for 14 days in the city of arrival. Western Australia charges all arriving travelers, including Australian citizens and permanent residents, for quarantine, payable after the quarantine period. Quarantine fees are AUD 2,520 for one adult or AUD 3,360 for two adults in the same room. Additional people in a party cost AUD 840 per room, except for children under six years old. Individuals must take a COVID-19 test before release.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by government health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Plan for transport disruptions and delivery delays at designated hotspot areas. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.

Resources

Western Australia Government
Western Australia Department of Health
Western Australia COVID-19 Roadmap
SafeWA