Covid-19 Australia: Mark McGowan DELAYS ‘Fortress WA’ border reopening ruining summer for thousands

Mark McGowan has announced his border reopening plan which was due to finally open Western Australia to the rest of Australia and the world will be delayed. 

The premier made the announcement during a press conference on Thursday night, dashing the hopes of thousands of families due to be finally reunited.  

Mr McGowan said that from 12:01am on February 5 the hard border would remain in place but with expanded exemption criteria, including compassionate visits. 

‘It would be reckless and irresponsible to open up now. I can’t do it,’ he said. 

Mr McGowan said that from 12:01am on February 5 the hard border would remain in place, but with new settings introduced for compassionate visits (pictured, arrivals in Perth)

Approved travellers will be permitted to enter the state to receive medical treatment, for compassionate reasons as well as those with genuine family links. 

These arrivals will be ordered to abide by strict testing and isolation criteria,  

Six weeks ago it was declared WA would restart quarantine-free international and domestic travel on February 5, when 90 per cent of the state is fully vaccinated. 

It was expected about 80,000 interstate and international arrivals would land in Perth Airport in the first two weeks of the state reopening. 

The premier was asked if the delay was an admission that after two years of planning the states’ reopening the government had not properly prepared the health system.

‘The advice we have is the health system is strong and ready, but the problem is the rollout of the third dose,’ Mr McGowan replied. 

Mr McGowan said that from 12:01am on February 5, the hard border would remain in place, but with expanded exemption criteria for travellers (pictured, a woman exercises in Perth)

The state leader said he wanted to see higher third dose rates and wait until more of the population was eligible before he ‘introduces Omicron deliberately’ to the state.  

‘Watching what has occurred over east and making sure that when it comes to vaccination, we’re as ready as we can possibly be,’ the premier said. 

‘The aim is to get it up above at least 80 per cent, perhaps 90 per cent, but what we’re going to do is review the situation over February and watch what is occurring over east and work out what the best approach is for Western Australia.’ 

It comes as the state’s Covid outbreak continues to grow, reporting five new local Covid cases in a sign the virus is spreading ahead of the border reopening.

Four of the cases are close contacts, two of whom were in quarantine, with the others potentially infectious in the community. 

The source of the final infection is unknown. 

Several events in the lead up to February 5 have already been called off, including Perth Festival and the City to Surf.

Businesses are telling staff to remain working from home, with the capital’s CBD a relative ghost town.

More to come.