The forbidden state enforced harsh border measures for more than 700 days, with WA isolating itself from the rest of Australia for months on end.But now, more than 8000 people are expected to flow through Perth airport from the reopening date of March 3 and March 4 alone — with many on board the 40 flights set to arrive from around the country across the next two days.Early on Thursday morning to meet the first Jetstar flight into WA from Melbourne, Kimberly, her partner Alex and their eight-month-old daughter waited eagerly for the arrival of their parents who had travelled from Scotland. It’s the first time the duo would see family in three years — and introduced their daughter to grandparents.“It’s so exciting they finally get to meet my daughter,” Kimberly told news.com.au.“I can’t wait I just want my mum. It’s been such a long time … it’s been so brutal. We have had flights booked, then cancelled again. This whole time I’ve just wanted my mum. I have no idea what I am doing to raise a baby so you just want your mum. So it will be a great seven week.”On board the first official flight across the border, QF644 was filled with passengers desperate to either see friends, family or simply return home without having to be locked in quarantine.Speaking to news.com.au, Perth local Emma said the long distance relationship she’d been forced to endure throughout the pandemic had been “so hard” but always held onto “hope” the borders would finally open.“You just get through it,” she explained of the distance with her boyfriend, Kyle.“You have the hope of the border opening and wait for that moment, but then it gets taken away from you … and when you finally get that moment to leave and see someone, it’s surreal. It’s amazing to see each other but it’s all been a bit hard.”Emma, whose partner Kyle currently works in Sydney while she remains in Perth, said the wait was worth it given how well Western Australia has weathered the pandemic storm.“We just kept ourselves busy and our minds on the fact we would get to see each other in the end,” Emma explained of their almost three month separation.“I’m optimistic these borders will stay open from today. I think it would be silly to close them again … my fingers are crossed.”Queensland resident Tom brought his grandmother Jackie to Perth from Sydney so she could finally meet her great-granddaughter who was born during the pandemic.“It’s been two and a half years since I’ve been here and I’m so excited to see a new baby,” Jackie said.“It’s been since 2019 since I’ve been here so I was itching to get back,” Tom added.“Now I am back I am just super excited.”The border opening was supposed to happen on February 5, the date Premier Mark McGowan said at the time was locked in “barring some unforeseen emergency or catastrophe which we can’t predict”.But the unfolding Omicron situation on the east coast — which saw daily cases upwards of 90,000 for some states — brought about “a whole new ball game” and prompted the date to be pushed back by McGowan.To coincide with the now open border, vouchers ranging in value from $150 to $2,200 will be handed out at Perth Airport from 12.01am as part of a “Gifts from Western Australia” campaign.The McGowan government is hoping the $500,000 tourism initiative will encourage visitors to spend up big at local businesses and provide a big boost to the state’s tourism operators. The initiative meant there’s 3400 two-person vouchers offering tourism experiences from about 20 operators and include a three-day tour of Margaret River.Other prizes from the vouchers include sunset stargazing at The Pinnacles, swimming with dolphins or touring Penguin Island and skydiving at Rottnest Island. Speaking of the border reopening, McGowan said with the gates open it’s time everyone experience “some of the most remarkable tourism experiences on earth”.“When interstate and international travel returns in full on March 3, we want to encourage visitors to experience all we can offer, while ensuring local tourism operators enjoy the benefits.“Western Australia’s management of Covid-19 has always focused on saving lives and protecting jobs, with more than $1.6 billion of business assistance provided throughout the pandemic.”Rules for entry into Western AustraliaFrom March 3, interstate and overseas travellers must complete a G2G pass before entry and take a rapid antigen test within 12 hours of arrival. RATs are being handed out for free in T4 of Perth Airport.Overseas arrivals need to be double-vaccinated in line with federal government requirements, while interstate travellers need to have received three doses in line with state government requirements — the third being a booster shot.Any returning Australians who are not vaccinated have to complete seven-days of hotel quarantine.
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