WA's tough border policy has left FIFO workers stuck in limbo, with many now calling for border closure exemptions.
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FIFO worker Tony, who opted to stay home instead of work in Victoria, said he was one of the many WA residents impacted by the tighter restrictions on travel into Western Australia.
"Some of my coworkers have been in Victoria for five months because they can't get back into WA even some of the people can't get back on compassionate grounds," he said.
"I have family here so if I was to leave and something was to happen to one of those family there is no guarantee I'd be able to get back into the state.
"At the end of the day deciding not to work because of border closures is also impacting my bank account."
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In a bid to be able to work again, Tony, from Mandurah, is calling on the government to allow FIFO workers to isolate in WA.
"We are not asking for anything special we just want to go back to where we were when the system was working for us," he said.
"Put us back on the list of people that can come in and out of WA under very controlled measures."
Mandurah MP David Templeman sympathised with families in this difficult situation but said the hard borders were in place to reduce the risk of COVID-19 in WA.
"I completely understand that the situation we find ourselves in has created an immense amount of stress and hardship for families especially these new measures announced applying to travellers from Victoria," he said.
"I would urge all families effected to read through the WA government webpage on Victorian arrivals, which provides more detail around exemptions - I would strongly suggest that when applying for an exemption that people include as much supporting information and documentation as possible.
"Our strict border policy is based upon reducing the risk of anyone bringing COVID-19 into WA, this threat includes people entering through Victoria and as we have seen in only in the last few days in NSW and Queensland it only takes one infection to result in potential rapid spread."
Meanwhile, Dawesville MP Zak Kirkup said he agreed with the current exemptions but had concerns for the people allowed to enter WA without quarantining.
"The exemptions in place are based on the health advice, which I support," he said.
"I do have significant concerns about the more than 50 people a day who are entering into our state without having to quarantine."
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But Tony said the risk of FIFO workers bringing COVID-19 back to WA was minimal.
"These people that are offshore they are under very strict quarantine type conditions at work the chances of catching something are incredibly limited," he said.
"None of these work sites have had a COVID-19 breach since restrictions started in March and now we are in August that in itself says volumes."
To find out more about exemptions on WA's hard border visit: https://www.wa.gov.au/government/publications/victoria-arrivals-frequently-asked-questions.