COVID-19: States restrictions on Western Australia

Virtually all Australian states have now implemented restrictions on Western Australians travelling to other states since the 5 day lockdown was declared yesterday.

Below is a summary of restrictions for the next 5 days as of today (Monday 1 February 2021):

• Australian Capital Territory (ACT) – Don’t travel to ACT if you have been in any of the WA hotspots. If you are in the ACT and were in a WA hotspot since January 25 then get tested and self-quarantine for 14 days
• New South Wales (NSW) – anyone who has been in a named venue hotspot in WA since 25 January and is in NSW should be tested and then isolate for 14 days. The border is closed to anyone who has been in Perth, Peel, and South-Western Regions of Perth since 25 January
• Northern Territory (NT) – anyone who has been in a WA hotspot (Perth, Peel, and South-Western Regions) since January 25 must be tested and remain isolated until they return a negative test
• Queensland (QLD) – if you have been in metropolitan Perth, Peel or the South West regions of WA go into 14 days mandatory hotel quarantine. Those already in Queensland and have visited hotspots since January 26, get tested and isolate until a negative result
• South Australia (SA) – anyone who stayed at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel in Perth since 21 January must immediately quarantine for 14 days. Anyone who has been in WA since 26 January must self-quarantine for 14 days
• Tasmania (TAS) – anyone who has been in a named venue hotspot in WA since 25 January and is in NSW should be tested and then isolate for 14 days. The border is closed to anyone who has been in a named venue, as well as in Perth, Peel, and South-Western Regions of Perth since 25 January
• Victoria (VIC) – Anyone arriving from Perth metropolitan area or the Peel and south-west region of the WA must isolate until they get a negative test
• Western Australia (WA) – 5-day lockdown of businesses and homes. Essential travel only. Travel between regions discouraged. Masks mandated outside the home.

Guidelines are rapidly changing so if you are travelling to or from Western Australia in the next week, then check the health departments website for COVID-19 travel guidelines of the state you will be entering. Many states and territories require some kind of registration or permission document, so make sure you complete that in time for your intended travel.

2PAXfly Takeout

This is another timely reminder to wear your seatbelt when seated. Holding you close to your seat will protect you from the sort of injuries sustained on this flight, when unsecured passengers flew to the ceiling of the aircraft, and then came crashing down once the ‘drop’ ceased.

The hope will be that this is an anomaly – a ‘freak accident’ in casual parlance. If it is a systemic error either mechanical or electronic, then this is a larger concern for the airlines that fly Boeing Dreamliner 787 aircraft. Let’s hope it isn’t. If it is, it will pile on the woes to Boeing’s existing stack.

These lockdowns tend to be hard but quick, so unless further transmissions are detected, I would expect this lockdown to end in 5 days. If more cases are detected, then it will depend on how nimble the contact tracers are in WA as to whether the lockdown will be modified or extended.

Mask up and carry on.