Tasmania set to open its border on December 15, some changes made after Omicron fears
As Queensland opens its borders and Western Australia’s premier announces a date, there’s another place in Australia opening its doors.
Tasmania is set to open its border to the rest of the country this week but with a number of states and territories battling the Omicron variant, there have been some changes.
Last week Premier Peter Gutwein said Tasmania was “prepared and ready” to open after high vaccination rates that passed NSW and Victoria.
In a statement on Monday, State Health Commander Kathrine Morgan-Wicks said Tasmanians travelling interstate who spend time in a high-risk area and return to Tasmania in seven or fewer days, will need to get a test within 24 hours of arriving back in Tasmania.
“People in this situation are not required to isolate prior to receiving their test and a negative result if they do not have any COVID-19 symptoms and can carry out their normal activities without restriction,” she said.
This also applies to people from interstate who have been in Tasmania and have travelled to high risk areas outside of the state but are returning to Tasmania within a seven day period.
However, if a person is experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 on their return, they must isolate until they receive their test result, as is the case with testing of symptomatic people.
“A large number of calls” had been received by the Public Health Hotline surrounding Covid-19 testing requirements for people returning to Tasmania after short trips interstate following the reopening of borders on Wednesday, Ms Morgan-Wicks said.
Last week, Minister for Health Jeremy Rockliff said Tasmania is “ensuring that we have the health and safety nets in place to keep on top of COVID-19 during the reopening phases”.
He confirmed an increase in testing capacity across all regions of the state to approximately 5,000.
“These clinics will be especially convenient for people wishing to get tested as part of domestic travel requirements from December 15,” he said in a statement.
“These clinics will be drive-through and have no requirement to book in advance. Importantly, they will be free of charge.
All travellers must be fully vaccinated and register through the Tas e-Travel system.
If you are not vaccinated you must acceptable proof you cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons;
You must have evidence of your vaccination certificate and – if required – a negative result from your Covid-19 PCR pre-departure test.
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