Coronavirus Information for Visitors

Tourism in the North West

With the recent lifting of travel restrictions within Western Australia, tourism operators across the North West are ready to give travellers a warm welcome to the Pilbara, Kimberley and Broome. Please see here for information and offers on travelling in the North West in 2020. Please note that travel restrictions still apply to remote Aboriginal communities, and that some tourism operators have will remain closed in 2020 and will welcome guests once again in 2021.

Some traveller FAQ's can be found here.

Intrastate Travel in Western Australia

Restrictions on intrastate travel, that is movement through the boundaries of the regions of Western Australia, were lifted on 5 June 2020. People may now travel freely within Western Australia.

Travellers in the Kimberley and Pilbara regions should note that under directions issued by the WA Police Commissioner, travel to remote Aboriginal Communities in the Kimberley, the Shire of Ngaanyatjarraku, and parts of the Shire of East Pilbara encompassing the communities of Jigalong, Martu homeland communities and Kiwirrkurra is not permitted, save for essential services.

For more information on travel to the Kimberley, including how to seek special permission to enter the designated biosecurity area, click here.

Interstate Travel

Strict border controls are in place from 1.30pm (WST) on Tuesday, March 24. All arrivals from other States and Territories will have to self isolate for 14 days after arriving in Western Australia.

The WA Government has announced that from midnight on Sunday 5 April 2020, further restrictions will be enforced at Western Australia. From that time, the only exemptions for interstate travellers arriving into Western Australia will be:

Health and emergency services
Transport, freight and logistics
Specialist skills not available in WA
National or State security and governance
Courts and Judicial Services
FIFO workers and their families under strict 14 day isolation periods when first entering WA.

Restrictions on indoor and outdoor gatherings

From 5 June 2020, the WA Government has eased some restrictions on indoor and outdoor gatherings.

Activities listed below are allowed for up to 100 people per single undivided space, up to 300 people in total per venue over multiple spaces (100/300 rule), while ensuring physical distancing, good hygiene and the 2 square metre rule are followed:

Public gatherings

non-work indoor and outdoor gatherings of up to 100 people per single undivided space, up to 300 people in total per venue over multiple spaces (100/300 rule)
weddings and funerals up to 100 people.

Food and beverage

food businesses and licensed premises may operate, but only with seated service
alcohol may be served at licensed premises without a meal (patrons must be seated)
food courts can reopen with seated service.

Wellbeing and health services

all beauty services, including nail, tanning and waxing salons can resume
saunas, bath houses, wellness centres, float centres, spa and massage parlours may reopen (100/300 rule).

Leisure, sport and recreation

gyms, health clubs, and indoor sports centres will be able to offer the normal range of activities, including use of all gym equipment (gyms must be staffed at all times and undertake regular cleaning)
contact sport and training
playgrounds, skate parks and outdoor gym equipment can be used
galleries, museums, theatres, auditoriums, cinemas and concert venues can reopen (during any performance, the patrons must be seated). (100/300 rule)
wildlife and amusement parks can reopen (100/300 rule)
arcades (including pool/snooker, ten pin bowling, Timezone), skate rinks and indoor play centres (100/300 rule)

Education

Parents/guardians will be able to enter school grounds to drop off or pick up their children.

Community facilities open

Places of worship, community facilities and libraries may increase capacity to 100 patrons in each room, up to 300 per venue.

Gaming venues

TABs and Pub TABs may reopen for betting and watching events and racing.
Crown Casino gaming floor will remain closed for gambling during phase 3.

Gathering restrictions do not apply to:

office buildings and factories
schools and childcare facilities
retail stores and shopping centres
supermarkets, fresh food markets and grocery stores
mining and construction sites
public transport and vehicles.

However, you should still practice physical distancing and good hygiene.

On 11 March, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak a pandemic.

Australia has in place strict measures aimed at protecting Australians and visitors to our country from the coronavirus.

Travel restrictions

International Travel

From 9pm, 20 March 2020, Australia closed its borders to all travellers coming to Australia (with the exception of residents and citizens). New Zealand citizens who live in Australia as Australian residents are also exempt, as are New Zealanders transiting to New Zealand.

Australian citizens and residents will be required to self-isolate for 14 days from the date of their arrival.

For details visit the Australian Border Force website.

For the latest information relating to travel in Australia see the Department of Home Affairs website.

To find out about any flight cancellations please check with individual airlines.

The Australian Government's Smartraveller website also provides travel advice for Australians. For more information go here and for a fact sheet about border measures go here.

Health information

Information and guidance is available from the World Health Organisation.

The Australian Department of Health and the Western Australian Department of Health are the leading agencies for information about COVID-19 in WA.

You can also call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080.

The WA Government website is also a good source of information.

Hotels and accommodation providers

The Australian Department of Health has produced fact sheets for hotels, staff and guests, which can be viewed here - hotel management and staff and hotel guests.

State and Territory public health agency contacts are available here.

covid-19 update