The ACT Government is reminding Canberrans to stay up to date with the latest travel advice as the COVID-19 situation in West Australia (WA) continues to evolve.

In a media statement, the ACT Government said the WA Government has today, Sunday 25 April, identified six exposure sites as higher risk (close contact exposure locations), all of which are restaurants or cafes. Individuals who were at these sites at the specified time are now required to get tested and complete 14 days of self-quarantine, regardless of the outcome of any test results.

The statement continued:

“The ACT Public Health (COVID-19 Areas of Concern) Notice 2021 has been updated to reflect this latest advice.

If you are travelling over the long weekend, please remember that things can change quickly. Regularly check the public health advice in the state or territory you are visiting and check in at venues to support contract tracing.

Please continue to keep Canberra safe and strong by:

• physically distancing from people you do not know
• practising careful hand and respiratory hygiene
• staying home if unwell
• getting tested for COVID-19 if experiencing even mild COVID-like symptoms
• using the Check In CBR app when out and about for contact tracing purposes.

The Public Health (COVID-19 Affected Areas) Emergency Direction 2021 came into effect in the ACT at 8.00am on Saturday 24 April 2021. The ACT Public Health (COVID-19 Areas of Concern) Notice 2021 is regularly updated on the ACT COVID-19 website as new COVID-19 exposure sites are identified.

The Direction and Notice impact travel to the ACT from the Perth and Peel regions of WA and provide directions for people who have been to the Perth and Peel regions including exposure sites in WA and Melbourne.

While these travel restrictions are in effect, ACT residents are advised not to travel to Perth and the Peel region. At this time, these travel restrictions will remain in place until at least 2.00am (AEST), Tuesday 27 April 2021, while the Perth and Peel regions are in lockdown. The situation will continue to evolve over the coming days, and ACT Health will provide further advice going forward.

If you have been in Victoria or WA since 17 April, it is essential you check back regularly to ensure you have not been at an exposure site.

If you have visited an exposure site in WA or Victoria at the dates and times specified, you should immediately follow the advice in the Public Health (COVID-19 Areas of Concern) Notice 2021, which, at this stage, is:

For travellers who have entered the ACT and have been to a WA Close Contact Exposure site:

1. Contact ACT Health on (02) 5124 6209 as soon as possible.
2. Unless instructed differently by an authorised person, travel by private vehicle to a COVID-19 testing centre to undergo a COVID-19 test during the period of quarantine.
3. Quarantine immediately for 14 days since attending the venue, regardless of your test result.

For travellers who entered the ACT prior to 8am on 24 April 2021 and have been to a WA Casual Contact exposure site:

1. Complete a declaration form within 24 hours of arriving in the ACT, or within 24 hours from the commencement of a COVID-19 area of concern notice. If unable to complete the online form please call ACT Health on (02) 6207 7244.
2. Immediately attend a COVID‑19 testing centre to undergo a COVID‑19 test.
3. Isolate at your place of residence or other suitable accommodation until informed of a negative test result.
4. Continue to monitor for symptoms for 14 days from the date last in a listed exposure location, and if you experience any symptoms of COVID‑19 go to a COVID clinic to be retested.

For travellers who enter the ACT after 8am 24 April 2021 and have been to a WA Casual Contact exposure site:

1. Complete all requirements as detailed in points 1 to 4 above.
2. Stay at home from the point of arrival until 2.01am AEST on Tuesday 27 April 2021, unless:

• To undertake essential work if you cannot work from home or remotely.
• To shop for essentials like groceries, medicine and necessary supplies.
• To attend to medical or health care needs including compassionate requirements, and looking after the vulnerable.
• To exercise outdoors, limited to one hour per day.
• For essential animal welfare purposes (eg to feed pets or livestock that live elsewhere).

For travellers who have been in a Victorian exposure site:

1. Complete a declaration form within 24 hours of arriving in the ACT, or within 24 hours from the commencement of a COVID-19 area of concern notice. If unable to complete the online form please call ACT Health on (02) 6207 7244.
2. Immediately attend a COVID‑19 testing centre to undergo a COVID‑19 test.
3. Isolate at your place of residence or other suitable accommodation until informed of a negative test result.
4. Continue to monitor for symptoms for 14 days from the date last in a listed exposure location, and if you experience any symptoms of COVID‑19 go to a COVID clinic to be retested.

For anyone travelling from the Perth and Peel region to the ACT arriving after 8am 24 April 2021, the following applies:

ACT residents

1. Complete the online declaration form prior to your intended travel.
2. Upon arrival, stay at home from the point of arrival until 2.01am AEST on Tuesday 27 April 2021, unless:

• To undertake essential work if you cannot work from home or remotely.
• To shop for essentials like groceries, medicine and necessary supplies.
• To attend to medical or health care needs including compassionate requirements, and looking after the vulnerable.
• To exercise outdoors, limited to one hour per day.
• For essential animal welfare purposes (eg to feed pets or livestock that live elsewhere).

Non-ACT residents

1. Apply for an exemption from ACT Health, which must be approved prior to travel.
2. Upon arrival, stay at home from the point of arrival until 2.01am AEST on Tuesday 27 April 2021, unless:

• To undertake essential work if you cannot work from home or remotely.
• To shop for essentials like groceries, medicine and necessary supplies.
• To attend to medical or health care needs including compassionate requirements, and looking after the vulnerable.
• To exercise outdoors, limited to one hour per day.
• For essential animal welfare purposes (eg to feed pets or livestock that live elsewhere).

Please continue to check the ACT COVID-19 website for the latest updates on directions and COVID-19 areas of concern.”

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