Ms. Davies asks about the timing of publishing intrastate travel restriction exemptions and how the restrictions will be policed. The Premier responds with details about checkpoints, ADF assistance, and exemption categories, acknowledging potential frustration.

AnsweredQoN 206Legislative Assembly
Asked
31 March 2020
Portfolio
Premier

QuestionView source ↗

CORONAVIRUS —
INTRASTATE TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
206. Ms M.J. DAVIES to the Premier:
I refer to the intrastate travel
restriction direction that will come into effect at midnight tonight.
(1) When will the direction schedule of exemptions and
related information be published so that those affected by this
direction can prepare themselves and comply with the new requirements tomorrow
and beyond?
(2) How is it
intended that this direction be policed?

AnswerView source ↗

(1)–(2) I
announced today that police will be setting up checkpoints on many of the
borders. They will be seeking the assistance of the Australian Defence Force to
do that and I expect that they will be in place over the coming days. Those checkpoints will not be there
all the time. This is not something that we can sustain in that way, but
there will be checkpoints and spot checks across the state. Obviously we have
nine regions, and countless roads. It is something that we will do our best to
put in place.
The reason we are doing it is to
protect regional WA as best we can, and I think most regional people understand
that. I understand there will be a degree of frustration by people wanting to
travel between the regions, but if people endure a little bit of hardship and
frustration, it is probably good because it gets the message through.
I put out a statement yesterday that
outlined a range of exemptions: travel for work purposes; to attend medical
appointments; to transport freight; where necessary, to attend school or an
educational institution; those who do not have access to groceries or supplies
within their region; and approved compassionate grounds. Obviously, it will
require a lot of commonsense on the part of people and also the police to
ensure that this works effectively. As I said, I expect there will be some
frustration. I expect the exemption grounds will be a part of the gazettal.

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