Premier Peter Gutwein to update Tasmania on COVID-19 situation
Premier Peter Gutwein has urged Tasmanians not to panic buy or fret over the mainland outbreak, stating it will have little to no impact on the state, despite Melbourne recording a further 725 cases today. WATCH LIVE >>
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LATEST: PREMIER Peter Gutwein has sought to reassure Tasmanians supply lines to the state will remain open despite the Victorian outbreak and lockdown.
Mr Gutwein said while Victoria’s situation as tragic, he reiterated it will impact Tasmania very little – if at all. He discouraged Tasmanians against panic buying.
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“A lot of our news moving forward will be informed by the mainland,” he said.
“(Victoria is) in a very difficult place in the moment with more than 720 new cases today and unfortunately 15 deaths, it’s tragic and our thoughts are with Victoria as they go through this very difficult set of circumstances,” he said.
“(But) the virus doesn’t travel by itself, it travels with people ... while the measures may seem extreme, I’m hopeful we’ll see some downwards pressure on case numbers in the coming days.
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Mr Gutwein encouraged residents to “buy local” and not fret over the mainland situation.
“Obviously Victoria is a large percentage of the Tasmanian export market. Victoria has the main ports we receive most of the goods we receive from ... but the Port of Melbourne remains open.
“Importantly in terms of supply lines, in terms of freight we’ve been assured those supply lines will remain open.
“There will be time when we have a new case and Tasmanians should be assured we have put in place the necessary framework.”
Director of Public Health Dr Mark Veitch has also reassured the public essential workers are coming to the state for “essential services”.
He said the chances of an infected Victorian worker coming into the state is very slight.
EARLIER: PREMIER Peter Gutwein is set to give a daily coronavirus briefing as Victoria records 15 deaths – its deadliest day yet.
Tasmania’s closest mainland neighbour recorded a further 725 cases as Queensland announced it would shut its borders to NSW and the ACT on Saturday.
There is a cumulative total of 13,035 cases in Victoria and the death toll stands at 162.
Of the 7227 active cases, 1435 are linked to aged care.
Queensland has 11 active cases while NSW recorded 12 new cases and will be forcing government quarantine for anyone going into the state from Victoria.
Originally published as Premier Peter Gutwein to update Tasmania on COVID-19 situation