Coronavirus: Travel bubble plans put on hold as Tasmania keeps borders shut

Tasmania has postponed plans for a travel bubble with SA, WA and the Northern Territory, due to the worsening COVID-19 situation interstate.

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein. Picture: Chris Kidd

Tasmania has postponed plans for a travel bubble with South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory because of the worsening COVID-19 situation interstate. 

Premier Peter Gutwein on Monday afternoon announced that quarantine-free travel arrangement with other low-COVID jurisdictions, due to start on Friday, was on hold.

He said the bubble would now not occur before August 31, when Tasmania’s state of emergency and public health emergency were due to expire, and would also be reconsidered.

“Given the uncertainty in Victoria right now and the impact on other states, especially SA, I want to flag that … matters have now changed,” he said.

“We will not open our borders to anyone before the 31st of Aug­ust. We will review those matters on a week by week basis … as we watch what is occurring in the rest of the country.

“Our borders have stood us in good stead, and it’s important … we remain vigilant and strong, and importantly that we ensure we do whatever we can to keep Tasmanians safe.”

Last week, Mr Gutwein had boosted a proposed travel bubble by flagging it would allow travellers to transit via Melbourne and Sydney airports, as long as they did not leave those facilities.

On Monday, however, he said the decision to suspend arrangement followed discussions with State Controller Darren Hine and SA Premier Stephen Marshall, as well as a meeting of the state border committee.

The decision dashes hopes the Tasmanian travel bubble might be extended as flagged on August 14 to include Queensland, NSW and the ACT.