Passengers from Brisbane are reunited with loved ones as Western Australia’s hard border comes down

Hundreds of families have been reunited with their loved ones after Western Australia’s hard border was finally been eased.

There were emotional scenes at Perth Airport as 11 interstate flights full of 1,300 passengers landed on Saturday.

The scenes come seven months after Western Australia closed its borders and cut themselves off to the rest of the country due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Families cried as they hugged each other for the first time since March.

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Heartwarming images show families in tears as they held each other for the first time in months. 

By mid-morning 205 people had crossed into the state from South Australia and a further 97 had entered from the Northern Territory.

Only people coming from NSW or Victoria will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days and have a coronavirus test on day 11.  

But all travellers will be asked to complete an online declaration and will be screened, including a temperature check, when they arrive.

So far about 3,000 people have applied online to return to WA since the system went live late on Friday night.

Authorities have said the new arrangements could cause delays and have asked for people to be patient as the state transitions to a controlled border arrangement.

Police Assistant Commissioner Paul Steel said the processes were necessary to allow people to return to the state but still keep COVID-19 at bay.

‘Don’t expect that you can just get off an aircraft and walk through,’ he said.

‘This is the new COVID normal. This is what we are doing to keep our community safe.

‘We make no apologies for that because the state expects that their authorities will be doing what they can to keep COVID out.

‘We’ll be as efficient and effective as we can.’

The airport had rigorous policies to keep passengers safe, including makeshift COVID-19 testing sites and temperature checks on arrival.

Arriving passengers are warned all procedures will take time and to expect delays. 

Announcing the change on Friday Premier Mark McGowan said the state was ‘ready to take the next step forward’.

‘Our controlled interstate border is a cautious and safe step. It is balanced and sensible,’ he said.

‘The time is right.’

WA has been closed to the rest of the nation for seven months, including to West Australians who were denied entry for compassionate reasons.

‘Everyone who has waited patiently can feel proud,’ Mr McGowan said. 

‘Your patience, your understanding, your sacrifice has all played a part in our state’s extraordinary success.’ 

Even as the rules are eased, police have warned anyone failing to disclose recently travelling through NSW or Victoria faces a large fine or potential imprisonment.

Mr Steel said there was an element of trust with the new arrangements.

‘We have always asked people to comply with their quarantine requirements and in the main, people entering Western Australia, have done so,’ he said.

‘However those people who disregard their quarantine requirements should expect to be dealt with in accordance with the law.’

The quarantine rules for NSW and Victoria will only be removed once they go at least 28 days with no community spread, as all other jurisdictions have achieved.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday announced that all states except for Western Australia plan to open for travel by Christmas.

All states and territories have supported a plan to get the country open again by Christmas but Mr McGowan, who faces an election in March, has refused to take part. 

‘I don’t believe in an artificial deadline,’ Mr McGowan said.

‘We’re going to be guided by health. Christmas is important but the health of Western Australians is more important.’