Western Australia will delay relaxing its border to Queensland after a Gold Coast man who tested positive to COVID-19 was active in the community.
The man in his 30s, who is unvaccinated, was infectious in the community for 10 days. Authorities have been unable to trace his movements because he has not used QR codes and he is now too ill to communicate.
WA had been due to transition Queensland to “very low risk” status under its controlled border regime as of Friday morning.
But authorities have opted to delay implementing the change, which would have removed the requirement for arrivals to quarantine for 14 days.
“Following the new case detected in Queensland today, we have now received updated health advice, and will be pausing this reclassification, – with the situation set to be reviewed next Monday.” Premier Mark McGowan said on Thursday.
“The chief health officer will monitor the situation closely and provide further advice accordingly.”
WA’s borders remain closed to NSW, Victoria and the ACT. Travellers from those jurisdictions are unlikely to be allowed into WA until next year.
Mr McGowan this week outlined a plan to make COVID-19 vaccinations compulsory for most West Australian workers, including teachers and supermarket staff, by the end of the year. He said it was necessary to prepare the state for community transmission of the virus.
The policy will be gradually rolled out across three groups representing 75 per cent of the WA workforce.
A “frequently asked questions” document about the policy, published by the WA Health department, indicated WA would require travellers from all jurisdictions – including “very low risk” states and territories – to be fully vaccinated from November 15.
The document has since been removed from the WA Health website, with the premier describing it as an “administrative error”.
Mr McGowan acknowledged though that it was only a matter of time before WA required interstate travellers to be fully vaccinated.
“At this point in time it’s not correct but we’re obviously investigating all of those matters,” he told reporters.
“Clearly if you want to travel overseas Qantas has made it compulsory to get vaccinated, I assume all the airlines will. If you want to travel interstate, my advice is get vaccinated.”
