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Countdown to 3 March: Western Australia to reopen borders for the triple jabbed

Western Australia will reopen its borders from 3 March amid a growing Omicron outbreak, bringing to an end almost 700 days of seclusion.

Western Australia will reopen its borders from 3 March amid a growing Omicron outbreak, bringing to an end almost 700 days of seclusion.

Once the borders reopen on 3 March, interstate travellers who are fully vaccinated – including a third dose if eligible – will be able to travel to WA without quarantining.

All international travellers will also be allowed back in, but those who are unvaccinated must spend seven days in hotel quarantine.

Unvaccinated interstate travellers however will remain locked out with the number of unvaccinated overseas arrivals will be limited to 70 per week.

Insisting the new date was “locked-in”, Premier Mark McGowan on Friday expressed confidence WA was ready to welcome back travellers given its high vaccination rates.

He acknowledged there was no prospect of stopping an outbreak which now numbers 794 active cases.

“Eventually there comes a point where the border is ineffective when you get to high case numbers within the state,” he told reporters.

“It is plain to see that four weeks of caution has paid dividends. It means it is now far safer to relax our hard border settings.”

Mr McGowan insisted his decision had been vindicated because cases and hospitalisations elsewhere in Australia had since fallen significantly.

“If I had my time again, I’d do exactly the same thing,” he said.

The premier added there was no prospect he would again backflip on the reopening.

“This date is locked in and I can’t foresee a situation where it would change. It’s only 12 days away so it’s a lot closer than last time,” he said.

The state will introduce tougher public health measures from Monday 21 February including extending the wearing of masks at indoor venues across the state.

“Level one” measures will come into effect in Perth, Peel, the South West, Wheatbelt, Great Southern and Pilbara regions, including a one person per two square metres rule at hospitality and entertainment venues, gyms, beauty services and places of worship.

Restrictions will be tightened further once case numbers grow significantly, including requiring children in year three and above to wear face masks.

Aurora Expeditions
A Zodiac from the Orion Expedition Cruise Ship at King George Falls, Kimberley Coast, Western Australia

Mr McGowan said he was hopeful the reopening would attract airlines back to Perth, including direct international flights.

Last week Qantas announced it will continue to fly its double daily direct flights from Australia to London via Darwin than Perth following ongoing uncertainty around the reopening of the West Australian border.

The Perth to London service was scheduled to revert to operating via Perth in April, but with the West Australian Government yet to confirm a reopening date for the state, Qantas will continue to operate the route via Darwin until at least June 2022.

For the latest traveller information, head to: www.wa.gov.au

Via AAP