Tasmanian authorities introduce Covid-19 vaccine mandate for nightclub, pub-goers and workers

One state is introducing a significant new rule as it prepares to throw its borders open to the rest of Australia.

Tasmanians will need to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 if they want to enter a pub or nightclub from next week.

Premier Peter Gutwein announced the new public health direction on Friday, adding the rule would apply to venues with more than 250 people inside and more than 500 outside.

It will also be enforced at festivals and events where people are standing up and drinking.

“This will include premises such as pubs, nightclubs, bars and events such as music festivals and applies to any venue where alcohol is served and people are moving freely,” Mr Gutwein told reporters on Friday morning.

Premier Peter Gutwein announced that as of next week Tasmanians will need to be fully vaccinated if they want to enter a pub or nightclub. Picture: Chris Kidd

People with a valid medical exemption will still be able to gain entry into venues.

The new measure will not apply to restaurants or cafes.

Mr Gutwein also said staff who worked in licensed venues under the new public health measure would need to be fully vaccinated from December 15.

“The owner or operator for licensed venues must ensure that each person who attends and enters the venue is notified that the person is required to be vaccinated, that’s the requirement for the owner,” he said.

The rule would apply to venues with more than 250 people inside and more than 500 outside.

Mr Gutwein said police would pay “special attention” to the new health direction in the coming weeks, with unvaccinated nightclub and pub-goers facing on the spot fines of up to $778.

“I‘d say to people we’ve got broad vaccination coverage across our community but importantly, for this, especially the younger cohort, we do want to ensure that you do get vaccinated as we move forward,” he said.

“We are in a good spot but we’ve just got to keep moving forward in terms of ensuring that we get that vaccination rate up as high as we can.

“I believe that we can reopen safely, but we’ll need to work together as we have done for the last 20 months.”

About 94 per cent of Tasmanians above the age of 16 have received one jab of the Covid-19 vaccine, and 87.5 per cent are fully vaccinated.

Originally published as Tasmanian authorities introduce Covid-19 vaccine mandate for nightclub, pub-goers and workers