Tasmania considers heavy fines for coronavirus victims failing to self-quarantine

Tasmania considers fining people for ignoring directions to self-quarantine, after victim attends work, bars.

Pictured from left; Director of Public Health Mark Veitch, Minister for Health Sarah Courtney, and Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein. Mr Gutwein said the state had powers to fine anyone ignoring a directive from the Director of Public Health and may do so. Picture: News Corp

Tasmanian authorities are considering heavy fines for people ignoring directions to self-quarantine, after the state’s second coronavirus victim went to work and visited bars while awaiting test results.

Premier Peter Gutwein on Monday said the state had powers to fine anyone ignoring a directive from the Director of Public Health and may do so.

“There are significant penalties that can be brought to bear – significant financial penalties up to around $8,500,” Mr Gutwein said. “ … And we are considering the use of those powers currently.”

His comments came after it was claimed a man confirmed over the weekend as the state’s second coronavirus victim failed to self-isolate while awaiting his test result.

Tasmanian Director of Public Health Mark Veitch said the Hobart man, aged 20, arrived in the state on February 26, from Nepal, via Singapore and Sydney.

He developed symptoms on February 27, but attended Australian Ideal College on February 28 and March 6 and worked a number of shifts at the Grand Chancellor Hotel, including serving in its restaurant.

The man rang a hotline last Friday, March 6, and was tested late that day. Dr Veitch said he was advised to self-isolate while awaiting the result but did not comply.

Dr Veitch said the man went out that night – Friday, March 6 – to several waterfront bars – Cargo and O-Bar – between 10pm and 2am the following morning.

He had also gone to work as a “food and beverage attendant” at a conference on Saturday, March 7, before being advised of his positive test result late that day.

Mr Gutwein said the actions of the man were “unacceptable” and urged people awaiting coronavirus tests to self-isolate until the results are known. “We ask people to be responsible,” he said.

“We need people to abide by the law and the direction of the Director of Public Health and we would expect them to remain in isolation.”

The state’s first coronavirus victim, a 40-year-old man who had recently returned from Iran, also failed to immediately self-isolate while awaiting his test result, going shopping at a Launceston Woolworths.

ENDS