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Health

WA records 13 new local cases as COVID-19 travel exemption rules expanded

Mark McGowan says five of the new cases have not been linked to existing clusters. (ABC News: James Carmody)

Western Australia has recorded 13 new local cases of COVID-19 overnight as it prepares to soften its border for those with strong connections to the state. 

Premier Mark McGowan said while eight of the new cases were related to known clusters, five were unlinked at this stage as investigations continued.

"All cases are now in quarantine and public health continues to investigate and monitor them," Mr McGowan said. 

Another 11 travel-related cases were reported overnight, bringing the state's total number of active cases to 166.

Meanwhile, police have urged more than 24,000 people stuck outside of Western Australia to resubmit their G2G applications to re-enter the state ahead of an expansion of the travel exemption rules.

Several callers to ABC Radio Perth this morning said their G2G applications were now suddenly being approved after being repeatedly rejected.

People with strong family connections in Western Australia will find it easier to return from this Saturday. (ABC News: Herlyn Kaur)

Western Australia currently classifies every other state and territory as an "extreme" COVID risk, meaning exemptions to enter are limited to specific Commonwealth and state employees and 'specialist functions' only.

It has left hundreds of people locked out of WA despite many having family or other close links to the state.

But the exemption rules are set to change on February 5, the original date for the now indefinitely delayed border opening

The list of exemptions will expand to include returning West Australians with strong recent connections or direct family connections in WA, those returning on compassionate grounds, such as funerals and palliative care, and for urgent or essential medical treatment.

Applications 'streaming in': Commissioner

Police Commissioner Chris Dawson said 24,237 people had been asked to re-submit their G2G applications.

Chris Dawson says police will aim to process the applications as quickly as possible.  (ABC News: Rhiannon Shine)

"And as I say, we've already had 10,000 already apply and they're streaming in at the moment," Mr Dawson said. 

"And over the next week, we'll do this as efficiently as we can." 

Lyndal Malarkey is currently in Melbourne and has been trying to get home to Perth for more than a year. 

Lyndal Malarkey, pictured with husband Max and son Walter, is trying to get back to Perth. (Supplied)

She said her mother had cancer last year and she was desperate to get back in, but her applications were knocked back 10 times.

This morning it was approved.

"I got on straight away this morning as soon as they updated the system, put in my G2G, as all my family live in Perth and we're relocating and it got approved," she told ABC Radio Perth. 

"So, I'm over the moon.

"I was shocked and thrilled to get such a fast response."

Ms Malarkey and other people whose G2G passes were approved would still be required to isolate for 14 days on arrival.

They must also be triple vaccinated or have had a double dose if not eligible for the booster, unless they have a medical exemption.

They will also have to show proof of a negative rapid antigen or PCR test within 24 hours of departure.

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