More compassionate exemptions will be granted from February 5, when the borders had been due to be brought down, but anyone who makes it into WA from February 5 will still be required to quarantine for 14 days.
Interstate travellers will be allowed to self-quarantine but must be triple-dose vaccinated if eligible. International arrivals are required to enter hotel quarantine for seven days before being allowed to self-quarantine.
The decision raises serious questions about the government’s lack of preparedness after almost two years of border closures.
WA’s hospital system has struggled under the Labor government, with doctors and nurses concerned it could not handle a surge in COVID-19 cases.
“I know this decision will be unpopular with many people, as holiday plans and some family gatherings will have been disrupted. For that, I am sorry,” McGowan told reporters.
“If we proceeded with the original plan, we would be deliberately seeding thousands upon thousands of COVID cases into WA and at this point in time, that is not what I’m going to do.
“Especially when the science says we need to boost third doses and so many young children still need to get their vaccine.”
McGowan said the hard border controls would be further reviewed “over the course of the next month once the east coast has reached the peak of infection, and we have a better understanding of the true impact of Omicron”.
He denied the health system was not ready for borders reopening.
