By RNZ A Dunedin nurse has been referred to a professional conduct committee by the Nursing Council after posting threats online against medical professionals involved in the Covid-19 vaccine rollout.Multiple agencies are investigating…

Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan has announced the state's hard border will ease at 12.01am on Saturday, February 5, as he unveiled the state's long-awaited reopening roadmap.

Mr McGowan confirmed Western Australia had reached its 80 per cent double-dose vaccination milestone and would finally be reopening to the rest of Australia next year.

"We can now implement our state transition plan," Mr McGowan said.

EXPLAINER: What you need to know about WA's reopening rules

"We've followed a different model to the others and it's worked.

"The state has been the envy of the world."

Mr McGowan announced that from February 5, international and domestic arrivals will no longer have to quarantine, provided they have been double vaccinated.

"With eased border controls, quarantine-free travel will be possible for both international arrivals and interstate," he said.

International arrivals will still be required to return a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to travel and then require a second PCR test on day two and six on arrival in Perth.

Unvaccinated travellers must still quarantine in a hotel facility on arrival.

All domestic arrivals into Western Australia must be double-dose vaccinated.

READ MORE: WA tightens border rules for Queensland, sparking Christmas rush

https://twitter.com/MarkMcGowanMP/status/1470279578736234502

Testing requirements will also differ according to the length of stay, Mr McGowan said.

"If your trip to WA is for six days or more, you must receive a negative PCR test 72 hours before arrival, if your trip is for five days or less you must receive a negative PCR test within 72 hours of departure, but you will not have to take another test on arrival," Mr McGowan said.

Residents travelling out of Western Australia and then returning will not have to take a PCR test prior to departure, but must have one within 48 hours of returning to the state.

"These are interim arrangements based on the current health advice but they will be reviewed regularly."

Mr McGowan added a review would be undertaken four weeks after the February 5 transition date.

He added proof of vaccination would also be required at a number of Western Australian venues, while masks would only be required for public transport, rideshares, visitors to hospitals, aged care and custodial facilities.

Business owners will be able to determine if vaccination certificates are necessary to enter their venues.

Mr McGowan said a number of communities which have low vaccination rates, such as the Pilbara and the Kimberley, would be subject to further COVID-19 restrictions if rates have not improved by February 5.

"We are most concerned about the Pilbara," he said, noting less than 50 per cent of residents in the community were fully vaccinated.

Mr McGowan said despite new concerns around the Omicron variant, which is believed to be more transmissible but less severe than Delta, the state is well prepared to handle new cases of COVID-19.

"After the 5th of February, cases will come in. That is inevitable. It is up to us to do the right thing," Mr McGowan said.

"One of the benefits to opening after Queensland and Tasmania, we can watch and see what happens and what measures work and are appropriate.

"Western Australians can take heart that we are entering this next phase of the pandemic from the safest possible position. This is a big step for our state."

Western Australia's tightly held border restrictions will ease in February 2022, following the state reaching an anticipated full vaccination rate of over 90 per cent.

Premier Mark McGowan announced that as of 12.01am on Saturday, February 5, the state's hard border closure will end.

Mr McGowan said this date was "locked in", but some rules still remain. Here's what we know so far.

READ MORE: WA to open state borders on February 5

https://twitter.com/MarkMcGowanMP/status/1470279578736234502

When will Western Australia open its borders to interstate travellers from the rest of Australia?

WA's borders will reopen at 12.01am on Saturday February 5, 2022.

Why is WA opening on that specific date?

Premier Mark McGowan has set this date following medical advice that anticipates WA will reach a full, two-dose vaccination rate of more than 90 per cent for residents aged 12 and over.

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What will interstate travellers need to do to enter WA after that date?

Interstate travellers will need to prove they are fully vaccinated.

If the trip is for six days or more, domestic travellers must be able to show a negative PCR test taken 72 hours prior to arrival to WA and undertake another test 48 hours after arriving.

What about unvaccinated travellers?

Domestic unvaccinated travellers will not be allowed to enter Western Australia.

Unvaccinated international travellers will need to quarantine in a state-run facility for two weeks.

The change in rules is due to the WA State Government not having control over international borders, which are governed by the Commonwealth Government.

READ MORE: Emotional reunions as Queensland border opens

Will I have to quarantine upon entering WA?

No.

If you are fully vaccinated, you will not need to quarantine regardless of whether you are a domestic or an international traveller.

You will still need to be able to show proof of your vaccination status, and if your trip is for six days or more, you still need have a negative test within 72 hours of flying and undertake another test within 48 hours of landing.

What if I'm ineligible for vaccinations due to my medical status?

You will be allowed to enter if you are medically exempt from receiving COVID-19 vaccinations.

READ MORE: UK faces 'tidal wave' of Omicron cases

Will I need to wear a mask in WA?

After February 5, 2022, there are some places where you will need to wear a mask.

These include public transport, rideshare services, visits to hospitals, visits to aged care facilities and visits to custodial facilities.

More to come …

One person has been killed and two others, including a child, are injured following a serious car crash in Sydney's north-west.

The incident occurred shortly before 4pm on Castlereagh Road at Agnes Banks, involving a Holden Commodore and a Nissan ute that was towing a trailer.

The driver of the Holden, a man believed to be in his 40s, died at the scene.

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A 10-year-old boy who was the sole passenger of the Holden was taken to Westmead Hospital under police escort in a critical condition.

The driver of the Nissan, a man in his 20s, has also been taken to Westmead Hospital in a serious condition.

Police officers from the Nepean Area Command have established a crime scene and an investigation is underway into the circumstances leading to the crash.

Police are urging anyone who may have dashcam footage of the incident to contact police immediately.

A report will now be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.

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The Northern Territory has recorded 17 new cases of COVID-19, the territory's highest-ever daily case number.

"It's a big number, but it's a number that we expected," acting Chief Minister Nicole Manison said.

Of those cases, 14 are from households in Katherine following a testing blitz in the town.

READ MORE: Emotional scenes as Queensland border reopens

These include eight children under 12, five people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, and one 70-year-old woman.

"We are finding the cases that we thought were there and we can expect more cases," Ms Manison said.

All of Katherine has been declared an exposure site, and a new testing mandate has been put in place.

People from outside Katherine who have spent any time in Katherine, Binjari or Rockhole since Monday, November 29, are mandated to get a COVID-19 test in the next 72 hours.

READ MORE: UK faces 'tidal wave' of Omicron cases

Those residents are not required to isolate.

"Obviously Katherine has been the ground zero for COVID-19 in the Territory," Ms Manison said.

She added the issue is the high likelihood of the virus spreading from Katherine to other communities.

"I have to say that this is really serious," Chief Health Officer Dr Hugh Heggie said.

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Ms Manison said there is a strong chance some communities outside Katherine will have active wastewater COVID-19 test results.

"It is likely that we are going to have to escalate our responses to some of these communities to a lockout in the next day or two," Ms Manison said.

"That means locking down people who are not fully vaccinated."

Ms Manison said a positive wastewater result has already been recorded in Tennant Creek, and health authorities are awaiting further results from additional testing.

"About the number of COVID tests that we had in Tennant Creek was very disappointing. There were only five COVID tests done in Tennant Creek and frankly that is not good enough," Ms Manison said.