Western Australia will reinstate its hard border with New South Wales in response to the COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney.
Key points:
- WA's hard border with NSW to be reinstated from midnight
- Only people with an exemption are permitted to enter the state
- Nobody from the Sydney hotspot has tested positive to COVID-19 since arriving in WA
From midnight tonight, travel from NSW will no longer be permitted, without exemption.
WA's Premier Mark McGowan says while he regrets having to take the step less than a week before Christmas, the risk of COVID-19 emerging in the community is too high.
"I know these changes are going to be hard to take for many people," Mr McGowan said at a press conference this evening.
"I know it will throw Christmas and reunion plans into disarray if it hasn't already.
"I wish I didn't have to be making this announcement but as Premier I have a responsibility for every Western Australian and I need to do what is right to keep our state safe and strong."
Mr McGowan said it was not known how long the border would stay up.
"We hope it's only for a short period and we can reassess our border controls when the health advice says it's ok to do so," he said.
He advised West Australians to reconsider travel to New South Wales.
"WA's community has been COVID-free 252 days. I want to keep it that way," he said.
"I want to protect people's health and, in turn, protect people's jobs.
"If you can avoid it, please don't go."
Very few exemptions expected
Mr McGowan said very few people would be eligible for an exemption to travel from NSW to WA.
However, some may be granted entry on compassionate grounds, including people who had travelled to NSW recently and needed to come home.
"It's pretty tough," Mr McGowan said.
"But imagine us having to shutdown Perth or Margaret River or Bunbury or Broome over Christmas.
"That's what we're trying to avoid here."
Some senior government officials, active military personnel and truck drivers are among those who will still be able to travel between the two states.
All 68 people who had been in the Sydney Northern Beaches area before travelling to WA have tested negative for the virus.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMibGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIwLTEyLTE5L3dhLXJlaW5zdGF0ZXMtaGFyZC1ib3JkZXItd2l0aC1uc3ctZHVlLXRvLXN5ZG5leS1jb3JvbmF2aXJ1cy8xMzAwMTEyNNIBJ2h0dHBzOi8vYW1wLmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvYXJ0aWNsZS8xMzAwMTEyNA?oc=5
2020-12-19 09:23:00Z
52781248001904
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "WA reinstates hard border with NSW due to Sydney coronavirus outbreak - ABC News"
Post a Comment