The Pilbara tourism industry says it needs concrete answers from the West Australian government as to whether the region will be cut off from the rest of the state, as the region’s vaccination rates remain low.
Key points:
- The WA government previously flagged that tourists could be blocked from low-vaccinated regions
- About 52 per cent of people aged 12 and above in the Pilbara have received two vaccine doses
- Businesses say the uncertainty is making it hard to plan for the tourism season
WA is expected to relax its hard borders on February 5.
In November, Premier Mark McGowan flagged tourists could be blocked from visiting regions with low COVID-19 vaccination rates and unvaccinated residents may be restricted from returning home.
In the Pilbara, 59.5 per cent of people aged 12 and above have received their first COVID-19 vaccination, while 52.7 per cent have received their second dose.
In comparison, 85.4 per cent of the eligible West Australian population has received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Mackerel Islands chief executive Drew Norrish said he was awaiting the state government’s final decision and was quite nervous.
“We’re hoping it still stays with the original advice and that people that aren’t vaccinated will have trouble getting into the region and everyone else can free flow and fulfil their holidays,” he said.
Mr Norrish said the tourism industry needed to know if and when the borders would be closed so as to inform customers as soon as possible.
“Direct bookings we can contact straightaway but [for] people who bring coach loads of people into the region or are booked on tours and third parties we need months to really make sure that’s not a messy outcome,” he said.
A spokesperson for the state government said, under WA’s Safe Transition, anyone travelling into the Pilbara by air would be required to be double vaccinated.
“This may include proof of vaccination in various settings, among other options.”
Uncertainty ripe across the Pilbara
Mr Norrish said he was staying in close contact with tourists who had booked accommodation and tours to the Mackerel Islands, as well as the Karijini Eco Retreat, which the company also manages.
“We’ve all been through our terms and conditions and tried to communicate those with people as they book so that everyone’s fully aware of what the range of outcomes could be,” he said.
Mr Norrish said tourists he had spoken to were clear it was up to them to be vaccinated to fulfil their holidays.
Pilbara Tours managing director Phil Smeeton said the uncertainty surrounding the government’s previous announcement had made him hesitant to plan…
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