Charlie Trevena is devastated she won’t be able to see her parents, who are based in the United Kingdom, any time soon.
Ms Trevana, who lives in Perth with her husband Richard and two daughters Belle and Rose, aged three and seven, was really looking forward to Australia Day when her parents were meant to fly in.
But Ms Trevana's plans were dealt a serious blow when Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan announced on Friday that the state would not open its borders until 90 per cent of the state's population aged 12 and over are double vaccinated against COVID-19.
The transition date won't be issued until 80 per cent of this group is fully vaccinated, but it's anticipated the state will reach 90 per cent by late January or early February after another 250,000 Western Australians roll up their sleeves.
“It’s a very harsh world to live in,” Ms Trevana said.
Perth resident Charlie Trevena (centre), with her two daughters and husband Richard (left). She has not seen her parents Susan and Michael (rear) in two years. Source: Supplied
“My parents are triple vaccinated - they have just had their booster shots. My husband and I are double vaccinated. We support the medical cause and we’re doing all the right things to keep the community safe.”
In spite of doing everything by the book, Ms Trevana’s plans to reunite with her parents, who are from Suffolk, have been thrown into complete disarray.
“It’s been really difficult these past couple of years. My children are young and my parents are getting older and I feel like I am losing that time on both ends,” said Ms Trevana, who found it extremely hard to secure international flights for her parents in the first place.
British-born Raquel Schwarcz-Young, who also lives in Perth with her wife Darcie and 11-month-old son, finds herself in a similar situation.
“Last Christmas was devastating. I was a new mother. I was extremely unwell. I had several autoimmune disorders. I had two fractures in my legs. And we couldn't see our family. We were all alone,” Ms Schwarcz-Young said.
“Both my parents and my wife’s family had bought tickets to fly over for the birth of my child. They were cancelled.”
Ms Schwarcz-Young hoped this year was going to be different, with New South Wales and Victoria opening their borders to international visitors.
British-born Raquel Schwarcz-Young (centre) with her wife and son. She had hoped to see her parents this year after they missed the birth of her child in 2020. Source: Supplied
But the announcement by the WA premier to keep the borders closed for the foreseeable future has delivered another blow for the young family.
“I am an Australian citizen, as is my wife. There’s a lot of discussion around how Mark McGowan doesn’t want us to wear masks over Christmas … about how he wants his citizens to unite with their families. Well, our families are not here. Where is our consideration?” Mr Schwarcz-Young said.
The WA government’s decision to keep the borders closed has also drawn the attention of advocacy organisation Human Rights Watch.
“We are not calling for the hard border to be taken down. What we are saying is that the process needs to change and that compassionate cases need to be prioritised,” Human Rights Watch researcher Sophie McNeill told the ABC
Currently, WA is highly restricted to people from Victoria, the ACT and NSW, but those from other states can enter and are not required to quarantine.
Those arriving from overseas must complete 14 days of hotel quarantine.
Mr McGowan's decision to keep borders closed as other states open up is based on health department modelling that showed almost 200 fewer Western Australians would die with the virus if the restrictions lifted at the 90 per cent double dose mark instead of 80 per cent.
"I acknowledge some people will be frustrated. They may not be able to be reunited with family from New South Wales or Victoria over Christmas," Mr McGowan said.
"But as difficult as it is, it is for the right reasons."
Interstate travel will resume on the transition date, but those coming into Western Australia will need to be fully vaccinated and return a negative test.
International travellers who are fully vaccinated won't need to isolate, but those who are unvaccinated must complete 14 days of quarantine.
The border reopening will also mean the reintroduction of some restrictions, including the wearing of face masks in high-risk indoor settings including public transport, hospitals, and aged care facilities.
Residents and visitors will also be required to show proof of vaccination if they want to attend large events with crowds of more than 1,000 people, as well as nightclubs and the casino.
