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The World Health Organization has declared Omicron a “variant of concern” after cases were discovered in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
“With little knowledge of the variant, it is important that we act with an abundance of caution in dealing with potential spread to WA from overseas travelers arriving in other states,” McGowan said.
Eight COVID-19 cases have been registered in southern Australia since it opened its borders on 23 November, although no evidence of the virus has spread in the community.
The changes mean that WA only allows quarantine-free travel from Tasmania and Queensland. A hard border is still in place for the other state and territories.
Sir. McGowan said there was concern about the potential of the virus – including the potentially Omicron variant – to spread to WA from the interstate, as Australian jurisdictions ease border and hotel quarantine requirements.
“The prospect is that the Omicron variant could enter Adelaide in southern Australia. So it’s a very precautionary measure.
No cases of the new Omicron variant have been reported in Australia, although cases have been identified in Hong Kong, Botswana, Belgium and Israel.
“With the Omicron variant now around the world, the chances are it’s coming to Sydney, Melbourne. New South Wales no longer has a hotel quarantine system at all. So it’s a big risk over there,” McGowan said.
“That’s why we have a very cautious approach because we do not have the virus here.”
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McGowan acknowledged that the changes will affect family reunifications between states during the Christmas and New Year festivities.
“I am aware that it will be disruptive and also inconvenient for some families.”
The federal government on Saturday announced travel restrictions for arrivals from nine South African nations: South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, the Seychelles, Malawi and Mozambique for two weeks.
Sir. McGowan said he welcomed the preventative steps.
“So I think what the Commonwealth has done today is to justify the approach that Western Australia has taken during the pandemic,” he said.
“It shows that borders are effective or make a difference. If you stop the flow of people coming in, you practically remove – as best you can – the virus that comes in here.”
Sir. McGowan said the plan remained the same to set a date for reopening the border in early December, but that the Omicron variant will be closely monitored.
“We will closely monitor the (Omicron) variant. It has been a long hard road. We have seen different variants along the way. We have to see what happens with this.”
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