A leading epidemiologist has described Western Australia's threshold for lifting its hard border as "unreasonably stringent".
Key points:
- The threshold to open the border is 28 days without community spread
- Epidemiologist Mary-Louise McLaws says there are better targets
- WA's Chief Health Officer says the current arrangement is crucial
The WA Premier yesterday announced plans to slightly ease restrictions on people seeking to enter the state from Victoria and New South Wales, but warned he would not "unnecessarily rush" to lift the hard border.
In his latest health advice to the WA Government, Chief Health Officer Andy Robertson reiterated his view that the hard border should only be removed when there is no community transmission of coronavirus for 28 days in all states and territories.
That would be a difficult milestone to achieve according to Mary-Louise McLaws — a University of New South Wales epidemiologist and an advisor to the World Health Organisation (WHO) on COVID-19 preparedness.
"I am a very cautious outbreak epidemiologist, and I think that the 28 days is beyond caution," Professor McLaws said.
Professor McLaws said a more realistic target for opening the border could be a two-week rolling average of fewer than five cases in other states and territories.
Hard border 'crucial' to managing risk
However Dr Robertson said the current hard border arrangement was crucial to managing the coronavirus risk in WA.
"If you look at the modelling, we are now probably one of the most susceptible states if an infection were to get in here," he said.
"So obviously we have to be very careful that we don't end up importing that in here."
Dr Robertson's latest advice to the Government also includes triggers for reviewing restrictions on travellers seeking to enter WA from "low" and "very low" risk states like Queensland and South Australia.
"We're continuing to monitor the situation," he said.
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"I think yesterday was a step towards easing some of the pressures on the border. But we are obviously … continuing to look closely at what's happening in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
"If they continue to improve … then when we will continue to look at options going forward."
'Clear pathway' to tearing down WA hard border needed, Opposition says
WA Health Minister Roger Cook said the hard border had kept West Australians safe and allowed them to get back to work.
"But as the situation begins to emerge in other states where the public health risk comes down, we're in a position to allow greater interaction between Western Australia and other states," he said.
WA Opposition Leader Liza Harvey said the Government should provide a "clear pathway" for the removal of the hard border.
"Tell us what the pathway is. Tell us when we can achieve it," she said.
"Give us some dates so that it gives business certainty and some certainty around whether families can actually come together at Christmas."
Australian Hotels Association (AHA) WA chief executive Bradley Woods said the State Government should consider allowing travel from all states and territories other than Victoria.
"I think a travel bubble that excludes Victoria is certainly possible," he said.
"It seems to be the emerging trend in other states and it's one that WA should certainly be considering."
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiZ2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIwLTA5LTMwL2VwaWRlbWlvbG9naXN0LW1hcnktbG91aXNlLW1jbGF3cy13YS1oYXJkLWJvcmRlci1wb2xpY3kvMTI3MTM5ODLSASdodHRwczovL2FtcC5hYmMubmV0LmF1L2FydGljbGUvMTI3MTM5ODI?oc=5
2020-09-30 07:52:00Z
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