The West Australian government and police are again responding to criticism about confusing COVID-19 messaging after conflicting advice from authorities had travellers questioning whether border restrictions had actually been eased with the Northern Territory.
The issue comes after a week of chaotic scenes at the Kununurra road border with many people camping in bushland near the checkpoint because a massive accommodation shortage prevented them from crossing.
A lockdown in the Northern Territory had prompted Western Australia to make arrivals from the NT get tested within 48 hours then isolate while they awaited the result.
While that lockdown ended on Friday, it was not until late Monday that some people, who had either recently crossed the border or were still planning to cross, received a text message from WA police saying they no longer needed to get a test and isolate.
But the messages triggered further confusion within the community with the government making no public announcement of the change and making no updates to restrictions listed on the government's COVID-19 website.
The next morning the ABC emailed WA Police and the state's Health Department to try to clear up the discrepancy.
Police confirmed to the ABC 20 minutes later that the government website had been updated to reflect the latest advice, being that the situation had returned to normal and only those who had visited an NT exposure site must quarantine for 14 days.
Mixed messages sparks confusion on social media
Among those who expressed their frustration on social media at the mixed messaging was Maarten Van Coillie, who has spent the past week trying to cross the border so he can work on a farm north of Perth.
Like many others he failed to find accommodation in the Kimberley deemed suitable to isolate in, so he turned back to Katherine.
Then on Monday, he saw people sharing the text message from police on social media showing restrictions had eased.
"You had someone saying on Facebook you had a text message and then you had another person saying on Facebook that the government website still says you have to self isolate … it is confusing."
WA and NT governments urged to work together
Over the past week, in Kununurra WA police and health staff have been stretched dealing with hours-long border and testing lines while travellers stuck on the Northern Territory side have struggled to access enough fuel, water, and phone service.
Mr Van Coillie said WA authorities should work more closely with their NT counterparts to improve ongoing issues at the border crossing.
"For example, you could have a test in Katherine and prove that you've driven to the Western Australian border in one day," he said.
The ABC has contacted WA and NT Police for comment.
A WA government spokesperson said border requirements were regularly updated based on the latest health advice.
"This is particularly important in the Kimberley to protect remote and vulnerable communities," the spokesperson said.
"The situation is always fast-moving as the circumstances and health advice changes regularly.
"We urge people to be patient and continue to heed the latest advice.
"The system we have in place has helped to keep the Kimberley free of the devastating impacts of COVID-19 for the past 18 months."
