The State Government has reinstated a hard border with South Australia following its COVID-19 outbreak, shutting off WA to most other States.
Premier Mark McGowan announced South Australia would transition to medium risk from noon on July 22
after that State went into lockdown two days earlier.
Travel from South Australia is not permitted except for exempt travellers, as detailed on the State Government’s controlled border page.
West Australians who have travelled to South Australia are urged to come home as quickly as practicable, the Premier said.
This follows hard borders with NSW, Victoria, Queensland and the ACT following community cases of COVID-19 in or near those jurisdictions.
“The whole country bar here, Tasmania and the Northern Territory has cases in the community,” Premier McGowan told media.
“It’s a very worrying time and we’re going to do everything we can to keep it out.”
The detrimental effects of hard interstate borders on business were detailed in a CCIWA Business Confidence Survey.
The survey found a growing number of WA businesses were reporting serious impacts from the State’s hard border.
It found that businesses in accommodation services, resources, construction and professional services were most severely impacted by interstate border closures.
CCIWA Chief Economist Aaron Morey said WA “requires a sustainable approach to our border arrangements” recognising that the State’s record fiscal stimulus cannot last.
Loss of interstate tourists, event cancellations, labour shortages and supply chain disruptions were flagged as some of the financial imposts on WA business because of hard interstate borders.
Vaccine rollout boost
The Premier also announced an additional 10,000 COVID-19 vaccine bookings per week would be available in WA from the end of July, boosting the State’s vaccine rollout.
Additional vaccination centres are expected to open in Perth CBD and Midland, and the Claremont Showgrounds centre will be expanded.
About 12 per cent of the State’s population aged over 16 have had their first vaccine dose.
CCIWA’s exclusive members-only Business Toolbox page features information for businesses about handling COVID-19.
CCIWA’s COVID-19 page contains up-to-date information for businesses.
For help and guidance on navigating COVID-19 restrictions, contact CCIWA’s Employee Relations Advice Centre on (08) 9365 7660 or [email protected].
