Mark McGowan announces delay to WA border opening amid fears Omicron will 'cripple' state

The planned reopening of Western Australia's border to the rest of the world on February 5 will be delayed indefinitely, Premier Mark McGowan has announced. Key points: WA's reopening to the rest of the country has been delayed indefinitely WA's reopening to the rest of the country has been delayed indefinitely Relaxed travel exemptions will take effect on February 5 Relaxed travel exemptions will take effect on February 5 The Premier said concern over the Omicron variant influenced his decision Mr McGowan called a press conference last night to announce the delay, which he said was due to the escalating health risks posed by the Omicron COVID-19 variant. Decision 'devastating' for tourism businesses WA Tourism Council chief executive Evan Hall said Mr McGowan's latest delay in the state's reopening was "horrendous" news for the industry. McGowan a 'one trick pony' While business groups took aim at the Premier's decision, the Australian Medical Association of WA President Dr Mark Duncan-Smith said delaying the reopening was "a gutsy call". Exemptions to be expanded Approved travellers permitted to enter WA under the new expanded exemptions from February 5 will include: Returning West Australians with strong recent connections with WA Returning West Australians with strong recent connections with WA Returning West Australians with family connections in WA Returning West Australians with family connections in WA Compassionate grounds including funerals and palliative care or terminally ill visitation Compassionate grounds including funerals and palliative care or terminally ill visitation People entering for urgent or essential medical treatment People entering for urgent or essential medical treatment People entering WA for national or state security reasons People entering WA for national or state security reasons People with specialist skills People with specialist skills Commonwealth and state officials, members of parliament, and diplomats Commonwealth and state officials, members of parliament, and diplomats Other extraordinary circumstances approved by the Chief Health Officer or Police Commissioner People who meet the criteria to enter WA after February 5 must self-quarantine for 14 days and face several other requirements including: They be triple dose vaccinated against COVID-19 if eligible They be triple dose vaccinated against COVID-19 if eligible Return a negative pre-departure rapid antigen test within 24 hours before travelling to WA Return a negative pre-departure rapid antigen test within 24 hours before travelling to WA Undergo PCR testing within 48 hours of arriving in WA and on day 12 of self-quarantine Undergo PCR testing within 48 hours of arriving in WA and on day 12 of self-quarantine Anyone living in the home where they are isolating must isolate as well and also be tested on day 12 Anyone living in the home where they are isolating must isolate as well and also be tested on day 12 Everyone in the home where someone is isolating is subject to mandatory use of the G2G Now app and WA police checks For international arrivals permitted into WA after February 5, they must: Meet Commonwealth requirements to enter Australia under the arrivals cap Meet Commonwealth requirements to enter Australia under the arrivals cap Undertake 14 days of mandatory quarantine including seven days in a hotel and seven days of self-quarantine Undertake 14 days of mandatory quarantine including seven days in a hotel and seven days of self-quarantine Undergo PCR testing on days one, six, nine, and 12 of quarantine Undergo PCR testing on days one, six, nine, and 12 of quarantine Those rules also apply to anyone arriving from overseas via another state or territory Several requirements will also be placed on domestic road travel including: Approved arrivals into the state via road must limit travel to 1,500 kilometres from road borders, to enable people to travel by road to suitable premises for quarantine in Perth from Eucla Approved arrivals into the state via road must limit travel to 1,500 kilometres from road borders, to enable people to travel by road to suitable premises for quarantine in Perth from Eucla Entry into the state via the Kununurra border will be limited to only transport, freight, and logistics travellers, and border community residents Entry into the state via the Kununurra border will be limited to only transport, freight, and logistics travellers, and border community residents Travel into remote Aboriginal communities will also be restricted Loading.