BORDERS REOPEN: What to expect when entering Tasmania

Victorians will be able to enter Tasmania from Friday morning without quarantine, but there are still a raft of protection measures and hoops to jump through before entering the state. WHAT TO EXPECT >>

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As of November 27, Tasmania will likely be open to all Australian states and territories with Victorians given the strong possibility of entry by the end of the month for the first time since March 18.

Travellers from Victoria, now classified a low-risk area having gone more than 28 days without a COVID-19 case, will be able to enter Tasmania with no quarantine period from Friday.

SEE WHAT TO EXPECT BELOW >>

COMING TO TASMANIA

People from low-risk areas are not required to quarantine upon arrival but there will still be a raft of hoops for those looking to enter Tasmania.

According to the Tasmanian Government, people coming from ‘low-risk areas’ through medium or high-risk areas (stopping only for fuel) to an airport or seaport is permitted without being subject to quarantine requirements that apply to that area.

However, travellers from approved areas (New South Wales, Western Australia, Queensland, Northern Territory, ACT, South Australia and New Zealand) will need to register their plans via the newly established Tas e-Travel system.

Passengers from Brisbane arrive on Virgin Australia flight VA702 at Hobart Airport as Tasmania opened its borders today. Picture: zak Simmonds

According to the Tasmanian Government, the e-Travel process involves providing contact details and answering questions about you have spent time prior to coming to Tasmania.

Approved travellers will receive a Tas e-Travel QR code that can be scanned on arrival in Tasmania.

If travellers do not registered online on arrival in Tasmania, you will need to complete a written form upon entry.

e-Travel registrations can be submitted three days before arrival in Tasmania.

For those entering from high risk areas (overseas or from a cruise ship) will need to provide information to help determine entry and quarantine requirements for travel to Tasmania via the G2G system – which will assessed to determine if a traveller can enter and what kind of quarantine will be required.

You’ve made it to Tassie … but what now?

When arriving in a Tasmanian air or sea port, you will be offered health screening, which involves answering health symptom questions and having your temperature taken.

Biosecurity officers will also confirm you have not spent time in a medium or high-risk area.

Travellers will be asked to COVID-19 test if they have symptoms or their temperature reading is above the normal range upon arrival and will need to isolate until the result returns (usually within 48 hours).

The government will also text you during your stay in Tasmania to check in about your health.

If you do feel unwell during your stay, you should call the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 for a free COVID-19 any time.

REMEMBER THE SYMPTOMS!

fever (or signs of fever, including chills or night sweats)

runny nose

cough

sore/itchy throat

shortness of breath

loss of taste or smell

Lastly, Changes may occur

The Tasmanian government has maintained the COVID-19 situation can change at any time, and warns restrictions or other measures could be put back in place at any time.

Travellers are encouraged to keep up-to-date with the COVID-19 situation at all times prior to travel.

All official government information which this article references can be found at coronavirus.tas.gov.au

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