Travellers from Victoria have expressed frustration and anger with the West Australian Government, following its move to reimpose the hard border with that state and order retrospective self-quarantine measures in the wake of a new coronavirus outbreak.
Key points:
- WA reimplemented its hard border with Victoria overnight
- Some Victorians are leaving rather than face days in self-isolation
- West Australians returning from Victoria say the rules aren't clear
Victoria was yesterday re-classified as a "medium-risk" state, meaning anyone arriving into WA from midnight last night will need to undergo a 14-day quarantine period, and get a COVID test on day 11.
The hard border was also backdated to December 21, so Victorian travellers already in WA would need to quarantine until that 14-day period is up.
The move has resulted in a rush of people opting to depart WA, rather than stay in self-isolation.
Victorian woman Cathy White, who has been in Perth since December 23, said she would rather go home than be forced into isolation.
"We were spending time with our grandchildren," Ms White said.
"But [WA Premier Mark] McGowan has closed the border and I'm not spending the next six days in quarantine.
"So I'll be going home and I don't know that I'll be coming back. I'm pissed off."
Ms White said she believed the decision to close the border was "ridiculous" and motivated by politics.
"He's conned you all into thinking he's keeping you safe. It's rubbish."
'I just want to go home': Victorian left $4,000 out of pocket
Fellow Victorian Drazen Vukovic also flew out of Perth on Friday, less than 24 hours after arriving on a flight from Melbourne.
He said he had already booked accommodation, but it was deemed unsuitable by WA Police, and he did not want to spend 14 days in another hotel.
"After trying to negotiate and sending emails they let me out because I booked a flight to Melbourne this morning," he said.
"They were pressuring me to find something and give me a reason to let me out.
"But I think they preferred that I actually booked a flight and left."
Mr Vukovic said he was now more than $4,000 out of pocket, and questioned the lack of communication from the WA Government and WA Police.
"They only let me go because I booked the first flight back," he said.
"The whole experience was like I was a criminal. Escorted around, locked in the room with security out the front.
"I was looking forward to staying, but it's a sour feeling now. So now I just want to go home."
Returning WA residents relieved to make it back after anxious wait
In contrast, WA residents said they were relieved to be back in the state, after rushing home to avoid getting caught by the border closure.
Although concerns remained about the G2G exemption process, with some travellers having their exemptions cancelled at the last minute.
Broome woman Fiona Mardling was one of those affected.
Ms Mardling had been in Melbourne since Monday, and was planning to return to Perth on Saturday.
But when she heard the WA Government was reimposing the hard border with Victoria, she decided to cut short her trip.
She said securing entry back into WA had been nerve wracking.
"My G2G got cancelled overnight and I didn't even know that until half-past three," she said.
"And then I had trouble with the app. And then my husband was literally booking my accommodation as I was landing.
"But we're here. And everyone's been really lovely and helpful and I'm just relieved."
Her experience was echoed by Perth resident Sabine Anderson, who also had to book extra flights to get home.
"I was terrified," Ms Anderson said.
"The exemption list wasn't for returning residents. It was government officials and people like that.
"And then there's compassionate basis. I did my G2G the same time as my partner, and he still hasn't been approved. So it's a bit confusing on who's allowed back and who isn't."
Ms Mardling said the rush to return to WA had been a rollercoaster, but she was grateful to have spent a few days with her sons in Melbourne.
"I was with my sons last night and I hadn't seen them in 18 months," she said.
"I'm grateful I got through. It'll be a memorable 2021.
"It's quite funny having your nose swabbed and then have someone wish you a happy new year."
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiaWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIxLTAxLTAxL3dhLWNvdmlkLWJvcmRlci1yZXN0cmljdGlvbnMtaW1wYWN0cy12aWN0b3JpYW4tdHJhdmVsbGVycy8xMzAyNjQ2MNIBJ2h0dHBzOi8vYW1wLmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvYXJ0aWNsZS8xMzAyNjQ2MA?oc=5
2021-01-01 04:05:00Z
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