Businesses along the Nullarbor are facing another uncertain summer, with no indication yet on what Western Australia's border plans will be when South Australia opens to double-vaccinated people from November 23.
WA Premier Mark McGowan said his state would monitor what eventuated in SA, but previously indicated WA's borders would come down once the state reached between 80 and 90 per cent vaccination coverage "sometime next year".
Nundroo Roadhouse owner Suresh Nallamothu works more than 300 kilometres east of the WA border and said uncertainty and a closed WA border would lead to further financial loss for his business.
Significant financial loss
The roadhouse owner said he lost about 80 per cent of his usual earnings in the first year of the pandemic, and this year had only recorded a slight improvement.
"It's picked up a bit because of a little movement — I've lost about 50 per cent so far this year," he said.
Mr Nallamothu said he was confident people would practice COVID-safe requirements as the states opened up.
"People are very much aware of doing the right thing, everybody is wearing masks when they come into the store," he said.
"If they are double dosed and if they open everywhere throughout the country, that will help businesses financially."
Hope for eastern state visitors
Closer to the border, Head of Bight Whale Watching Centre's Jessie Sheather said she had seen a significant amount of traffic come from Western Australia this year.
"Lots and lots of visitors have been coming from the west — we've seen quite a few Queenslanders this year too," she said.
Ms Sheather said the last southern right whales were seen three weeks ago and the centre was now in its off-season — and a future WA border closure could cause some angst.
"It's definitely a worry —hopefully we get even more Queenslanders," she said.
Mr McGowan said today that WA would double the number of Australians it allowed to return to the state when the double vaccination rate reached 70 per cent, taking it to 530 travellers per week.
The Premier said earlier he would look at the situation in other jurisdictions when it came to borders for the Christmas period, stating he did not want to bring in restrictions for West Australians over the Christmas season.
