Double vaccinated international arrivals won’t be subject to quarantine but those who aren’t vaccinated will be required to complete 14 days of quarantine in a designated facility.
COVID-19 outbreak modelling the plan was based on found that if the state reaches a 90 per cent vaccination rate 117 people would die from the virus in the first year compared to 313 people at 80 per cent.
WA is about three weeks behind the national vaccination rate,with 79.3 per cent of the population aged 12 and over having received a first dose and 62.7 per cent double-dosed.
Mr McGowan said the transition would require the implementation of COVID-19 restrictions including face masks at high risk indoor settings such as public transport,hospitals and aged care facilities.
He said proof of vaccination would be required to attend nightclubs,the casino and large events where crowds of more than 1000 people gather.
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Contact registers would continue to be used and entry to some remote Aboriginal communities would continue to be restricted.
‘Step-up’ measures could also be brought online during an outbreak,which could include stricter face mask requirements and capacity limits as well as rapid workplace testing.
Mr McGowan also flagged that they could cut off access into and out of regions for unvaccinated people with low rates such as the Pilbara,which currently has a first dose rate of 45 per cent.
Mr McGowan’s hardline zero-COVID approach was lauded by the broader community,but its popularity has been waning in recent weeks as other virus-free states released their plans to open up to domestic and international travel.
Last week,South Australian Premier Steven Marshall announced he would ease domestic border restrictions for double-vaccinated people from November 23. Tasmania will allow domestic travel to resume for double-jabbed people from December 15,when the state is estimated to reach a 90 per cent vaccination rate.
The Northern Territory’s plan will allow vaccinated travellers from low to medium-level COVID locations from early November,while Queensland will allow interstate visitors from December 17.
The ambitious target may not be enough to stave off criticism of the government’s cautious response to the pandemic.
Opposition leader Mia Davies said it was good to see a plan had finally been revealed but disappointing that a date had not yet been set.
“It would appear that we still have a great deal of uncertainty when it comes to allowing businesses in our community to plan for what that safe reopening will look like,” she said.
Travel agency Flight Centre said earlier in the week it was readying a legal challenge against border closures if the McGowan government did not allow travel back into the state when it hits 70 to 80 per cent double vaccination.
Human Rights Watch also has the border in its sights.
Spokeswoman Sophie McNeill said on Thursday that by this stage of the pandemic there should be measures in place to allow families to travel to WA from other states and reunite with loved ones.
“It is no longer proportionate for the West Australian government to make it so difficult for compassionate cases to enter the state,” she said.
“If individuals are double vaccinated and are willing to undergo quarantine,they should not be denied entry to WA.
“Human Rights Watch is calling on the McGowan government to prioritise compassionate cases and family reunifications,and allow these cases to enter.”
Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA chief executive Chris Rodwell welcomed the plan but said it was up to the state government and community to ‘supercharge’ vaccination rates.