The State Government will class NSW as extreme risk, with strict new measures for those who get approval to enter WA in a reclassification of risk levels for COVID-19 affected States.

*Editor’s note: Updated August 20, 2021. 

Premier Mark McGowan announced a new COVID-19 risk matrix, as NSW recorded 390 new community cases in one day on Friday (August 13).

Under the changes, NSW will move to a high-risk jurisdiction from 12:01 am on Tuesday, August 17. Under the revised rules, the high-risk category is triggered when an area records more than 50 local cases of COVID-19 in a single day.

The new guidelines also contain an “extreme risk” category, characterised by an average of more than 500 new community cases each day.

Premier Mark McGowan announced that NSW would move to an extreme risk jurisdiction at 12.01am Thursday August 26.

He strongly advised WA residents in NSW to come home before that date, before harsher restrictions made it more difficult to return.

NSW recorded 681 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday August 19 – enough to trigger the extreme risk classification.

Travellers from high-risk jurisdictions will need to:

• Gain approval to enter WA via the G2G app, and use the G2G Now app while in WA;
• Enter 14 days of self-isolation upon arrival, with COVID-19 tests on day two and 12;
• Provide a negative COVID-19 test in the 72 hours before departure; and
• Provide proof of at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccination;

In addition to the above requirements, for those entering WA from extreme risk jurisdictions:

• Exemptions are only granted to Commonwealth, State and Specialist functions;
• Travellers must undergo hotel quarantine or isolate at a State quarantine facility; and
• They must be tested for COVID-19 on days one, five and 12.

Premier McGowan said the new guidance stemmed from the highly contagious nature of the COVID-19 Delta variant.

“The health advice is clear in that the Delta strain is significantly more contagious than previous strains of COVID-19 and there is emerging evidence that it leads to more severe outcomes,” he said.

Up-to-date information on WA’s COVID-19 restrictions can be found at CCIWA’s COVID-19 page.

For advice navigating restrictions, call CCIWA’s Employee Relations Advice Centre on (08) 9365 7660, or email [email protected].