Only NSW vaccinated allowed entry into Western Australia

PRIME Minister Scott Morrison has thrown his support behind Western Australia’s unprecedented plan to force NSW travellers to be vaccinated before arriving in the state.

From August 17, NSW travellers approved to enter WA under its hard border arrangements must provide proof of a negative PCR test in the 72 hours prior to departure and a receipt showing at least one dose of a vaccine where eligible.

They must also use the G2G Now app in addition to 14 days of self-quarantine and virus tests on days two and 12.

Mr Morrison backed the decision, saying it was consistent with what the national plan was seeking to achieve.

“I do welcome the requirements for vaccination. This is for people who are otherwise getting an exemption to come into WA and the Premier has added to that,” he told reporters on Friday.

“That’s not unlike the sorts of things we’ve been talking about for some time that where people are vaccinated and an exemption has been granted, well the vaccination aids that exemption being given on public health grounds.

“So, I think that’s very consistent with what the national plan is seeking to achieve, and as I said last week, all premiers and chief ministers strongly committed and agreed to the national plan.”

WA Premier Mark McGowan said the move was tough but fair.

“These are tough measures but they are necessary to protect the state,” he said.

“This hasn’t been done before in Australia. We haven’t actually ever said you have to be vaccinated to travel between the states.

“We’ve done it for overseas countries … but I think it’s entirely fair.”

It comes as NSW recorded a further two deaths and 390 new local cases overnight.

Mr McGowan said 61 people had arrived from NSW in the past two days, with another 43 expected later on Friday.

NSW will be deemed a “high risk” state under changes to WA’s controlled interstate border rules.

Another classification is also being added to the matrix – “extreme”, which will be triggered when the average number of daily cases passes 500.

Victoria recorded 15 new cases on Friday and the ACT recorded two in the community, including a 14-year-old school student.