Western Oz lifted its hard border this morning after 697 days (aka a smidge under 2 years…) of iso from the rest of Oz. International and domestic travellers will be able to enter the state without quarantining, but there are rules… You need a travel pass, triple-vaccination, and undertake a rapid antigen test within 12 hours of arrival. But it’s not just about getting to the West – it’s also about locals being able to leave/come home without a hassle… Underlining that point is Webjet data that shows bookings for outbound flights is up 234%, while those heading into Western Australia rose by 128%. Qantas boss Alan Joyce – who likened the longstanding border block to North Korea – said it would take some time to rebuild the tourist trade, but things are looking up because “Australia is now finally back together.” The thing to know if you’re in Western Oz or, like Labor leader Anthony Albanese, you’re on your way: new restrictions start today as new COVID cases reached a record high of 1,770 yesterday.