❓ Hon Ken Baston asks about financial support for Kimberley and East Pilbara residents needing medical travel to Perth during COVID-19 restrictions, and questions the pre-travel isolation requirement. The government confirms financial support is available and is reviewing isolation processes.
AnsweredQoN 357Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CORONAVIRUS — INTRASTATE TRAVEL
RESTRICTIONS — KIMBERLEY AND EAST PILBARA
357. Hon KEN BASTON to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the COVID-19 travel restrictions into the northern
regions, which now require anyone entering the Kimberley and East Pilbara to
have isolated for 14 days before entering.
(1) For the
Kimberley and East Pilbara residents who need to travel to Perth for essential
medical purposes, is financial support available to assist in covering the cost
of an additional 14-day stay before they can return home?
(2) If yes to (1), which agency approves and delivers this
financial support?
(3) Would the Western
Australian government support returning to the requirement for Kimberley and East
Pilbara residents to isolate after arriving in the region, thus allowing people
to avoid the significant financial costs and stress of isolating away from
home?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
RESTRICTIONS — KIMBERLEY AND EAST PILBARA
357. Hon KEN BASTON to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the COVID-19 travel restrictions into the northern
regions, which now require anyone entering the Kimberley and East Pilbara to
have isolated for 14 days before entering.
(1) For the
Kimberley and East Pilbara residents who need to travel to Perth for essential
medical purposes, is financial support available to assist in covering the cost
of an additional 14-day stay before they can return home?
(2) If yes to (1), which agency approves and delivers this
financial support?
(3) Would the Western
Australian government support returning to the requirement for Kimberley and East
Pilbara residents to isolate after arriving in the region, thus allowing people
to avoid the significant financial costs and stress of isolating away from
home?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the
question.
(1) Yes.
(2) The Department of Communities.
(3)–(4)
The state government recognises the importance of people self-isolating as part
of the condition of entering a designated biosecurity area. Although people are
currently required to self-isolate outside the biosecurity area before entering
the area, unless they have an approved exemption, we are currently working with
the commonwealth to develop an agreed process for self-isolation that minimises
the spread of COVID-19 and takes into account feedback from key stakeholders
and community members.
question.
(1) Yes.
(2) The Department of Communities.
(3)–(4)
The state government recognises the importance of people self-isolating as part
of the condition of entering a designated biosecurity area. Although people are
currently required to self-isolate outside the biosecurity area before entering
the area, unless they have an approved exemption, we are currently working with
the commonwealth to develop an agreed process for self-isolation that minimises
the spread of COVID-19 and takes into account feedback from key stakeholders
and community members.
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