Coronavirus: Tasmania considers COVID limit easing amid border bickering

Tasmania is reviewing its distancing limit, as business groups demand the requirement be scrapped – or else borders reopened.

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Tasmania is reviewing the rule of 4sq m a person for businesses and ­indoor spaces, as business groups demand the requirement be ­immediately scrapped — or else state borders reopened.

Premier Peter Gutwein told The Australian he was seeking ­expert health advice on the 4sq m rule ahead of announcing on Friday a fresh tranche of restriction easing and more clarity on open borders.

With 20,000 jobs lost because of COVID-19 in a state heavily ­reliant on tourism, Mr Gutwein has come under growing pressure from tourism and business groups, as well as the Labor opposition, to adopt a clear position on borders.

Ahead of talks with Mr Gutwein on Tuesday, the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and ­Industry told The Australian if borders were not reopening soon, there was no reason to keep the 4sq m rule.

“It seems illogical to have restrictions still in place in Tasmania,” said chamber chief executive Michael Bailey.

“Either we open the borders in a limited way and maintain res­trictions, or we keep the border closed and release restrictions on ­Tasmanians.”

Tasmania has not recorded a new coronavirus case since May 16 and has no active cases, while many businesses struggle to open or to make a profit while complying with the rule of one person per 4sq m.

Mr Bailey said having both the rule and the border closure “in play at the same time” was “the worst of both worlds”.

Mr Gutwein said he was “very concerned” about Victoria’s ­second wave of coronavirus cases and would continue to put health considerations first.

“Timelines will be informed by public health officials, to ensure we do not compromise all the hard work achieved in Tasmania when it comes to COVID-19,” he said.

“Victoria’s recent challenges are very concerning and have demonstrated that we cannot be complacent — we must be both measured and sensible in our ­response.

“This week, I will continue to engage with public health experts on the matter of borders and our response will be one that is the most responsible pathway forward for our state.”

However, Labor Opposition Leader Rebecca White backed the business call, demanding that Mr Gutwein follow Western Australia in easing the person-per-sq m rule while borders remained closed.

“In WA, restrictions have been significantly lifted to get people back into jobs while tough border measures have remained in place to keep people safe,” Ms White told The Australian

“However, here in Tasmania our borders remain closed and our businesses remain constrained by patron caps or density ­restrictions. In WA, they have eased their restrictions … with the advice of public health.

“There is no reason Tasmania couldn’t do the same to support people back into work.”

The Australian Medical ­Association urged Mr Gutwein to keep borders shut.

“It is not appropriate to reopen (borders) at present,” AMA state president John Burgess said. “We need to review it on a monthly basis.”

Mr Bailey said his chamber did not want to see the border ­reopened to Victorians but there should be a travel “bubble” ­established with other no-case or low-case jurisdictions, including South Australia, WA, the Northern Territory and New Zealand.