Western Australia LOCKS OUT Tasmania and the Northern Territory from Boxing Day – cutting it off from the entire rest of the country – and mandates boosters for 1million workers
- Travellers from Tasmania and NT will need exemption to enter WA from Sunday
- They will also have to isolate for 14 days upon entry into the state
- Booster shots will also be mandatory for 1million workers around the state
- These workers will have one month from being eligible to get the third jab
Western Australia will shut the border with Tasmania and the Northern Territory amid a rise in Covid cases from Boxing Day – ruining the Christmas plans for thousands.
Mark McGowan’s government has designated both states as ‘medium risk’, meaning visitors will need an exemption to travel and go into 14 day quarantine upon arrival.
The move means WA has a hard border with the entire country – the first time in more than a year the state has done so.
‘These decisions have not been taken lightly,’ Mr McGowan said during a press conference on Wednesday.
‘No one wants to stop families returning home to Western Australia during the festive season. No one.
WA Premier Mark McGowan has announced he will shut the borders with Tasmania and the Northern Territory from Boxing Day
‘But given the escalating crisis in other parts of Australia, and based on updated health advice. We’re taking this step to protect Western Australians and stop any spread of the virus into our community.’
Tasmania and the NT join Queensland, South Australia and the ACT as medium-risk jurisdictions while NSW and Victoria are dubbed as extreme-risk areas.
The premier also announced that more than a million workers will also now be required to get Covid-19 booster shots under the state government’s latest decision.
The decision will make WA the first state to mandate booster shots with workers given one month from being eligible to get the third jab.
The mandate applies to workers in industries already covered by vaccination mandates.
‘This morning I attended National Cabinet where leaders were given an updated briefing on the threat posed to us all by the Omicron variant,’ he said.
‘What we were told is concerning.’
‘The health advice confirms the extra dose is far more effective against the Omicron strain compared to two doses.
‘You need to start thinking about booking a third dose as soon as possible, before Omicron comes into our community.’
Just over 82 per cent of Western Australians have received two doses of the vaccine.
WA has now shut out the rest of the country as it tries to keep its state free of Covid-19
The major changes comes after it was revealed a couple aged in their 30s crossed the border into WA while infected with Covid.
The pair arrived in Perth on December 19 on Virgin Australia flight VA470 from Brisbane.
The couple travelled before Queensland was elevated to medium risk and are understood to have tested negative for Covid before boarding their flight.
More to come
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