Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan says it would have been “irresponxjmtzywsible” to let more people back into the State on the day he was supposed to ease borders to the rest of the country.
The first of an estimated 10,000 people — mainly returning West Australians — arrived in Perth on Saturday after the State relaxed entry requirements for those coming into WA.
Quarantine-free international and interstate travel was scheduled to restart on February 5 until Mr McGowan axed the plan in January.
He said the Government has opted to open the border in several stages, arguing an unrestricted opening would be “reckless and irresponsible.”
Over the next week, 382 interstate and 63 international flights are scheduled to arrive or depart at Perth Airport.
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West Australian families shed tears at Perth Airport on Saturday, as their loved ones arrived after months and sometimes years apart.
“It would have been irresponsible to have proceeded with our original plan, which was developed for the Delta variant, rather than the faster-spreading Omicron variant,” Mr McGowan said.
The State has already processed about 20,000 passes needed to allow people back into the State.
Last month the Premier backflipped on the planned February 5 border reopening which would have allowed quarantine-free international and interstate travel.
“We’ve struck a balance, you can see why we’re doing this,” Mr McGowan said.
“We just want to save more lives but at the same time provide the opportunity for people to reunite safely.”
Mr McGowan also announced that residents could apply for a $320 payment if they had to isolate while waiting for a PCR result.
The state recorded 26 new infections on Saturday.
Mr McGowan confirmed about 92 per cent of people had received their second vaccine dose, but remained adamant borders would remain tough until a third dose was reached.
With cases expected to climb over the coming weeks, authorities have already introduced a new COVID plan, as well as restrictions.
Mr McGowan this week said outbreaks would become more common after 400 children were forced into quarantine when two teachers and two students at three Perth schools contracted the virus in the first week of Term 1.
“Unfortunately, this is going to increase in the future but that’s the reality,” he told ABC radio on Thursday.
“Over time, the rules will change … we’ll eventually move to seven-day quarantining and in certain circumstances, people will still be able to go to school and go to work.
“While we get vaccinations up, caution is the order of the day.”
