Gutwein and Qantas Group clash over G2G border checks amid new positive Tassie case
A major airline has hit back at a swipe from Premier Peter Gutwein, with each side suggesting how the other could better uphold border controls. LATEST >>
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A major domestic airline has hit back at Premier Peter Gutwein’s swipe, with each side suggesting how the other could better uphold border controls.
Mr Gutwein said at a coronavirus press conference on Thursday people had been stationed at airports to warn travellers not to come to Tasmania if they didn’t have valid Covid travel passes.
But the Premier said more could have been done by airlines to avoid incidents where travellers with invalid g2g passes slipped through the cracks.
“We initially spoke with the airlines to see whether or not they could manage that circumstance and they declined,” he said.
A Qantas Group spokesman speaking on behalf of Qantas and Jetstar agreed people shouldn’t flout restrictions, but said travel restrictions were constantly varying between jurisdictions.
“Trained officials should decide who can and can’t cross state borders, not airline workers,” the spokesman said.
“A year ago, we suggested to governments that they take a national approach to border compliance, with health officials screening people leaving hot spots rather than when they arrive at their destination.
“This suggested approach has not been taken up.”
Expect more cases but remain calm, Tasmania’s Premier urges
SECURITY will be strengthened and more CCTV cameras installed at Tasmania’s quarantine hotels after a man was able to leave Hobart’s TraveLodge hotel and travel to Bridgewater before testing positive to Covid.
His actions has forced more than 50 people into quarantine after now being deemed as close or casual contacts.
In an update to Tasmanians this afternoon, Premier Peter Gutwein said Public Health authorities had worked “very expeditiously” over the last six hours to minimise the case risk.
“Tasmanians should remain calm,” Mr Gutwein said.
“In terms of the primary close contacts in relation to this case they have all been isolated; in the terms of the casual contacts all those who we are aware of have been isolated as well.”
The premier said seven test results had come back this morning as negative.
There are currently 38 primary close contacts that have been identified, as well as another 16 casual contacts and a further 16 which are being assessed.
Mr Gutwein said he “expects” there would be another positive case emerge, but it was likely that it would occur in quarantine so risk to the public at this stage was low.
He also said a review of the TraveLodge Hotel was underway.
“Whilst we await that review process to conclude we have strengthened the security arrangements and importantly we are increasing the CCTV at that facility,” Mr Gutwein said.
Mr Gutwein said the slip-ups of positive cases in Tasmania were as a result of people breaking the law.
Public Health Director Dr Mark Veitch said the team had done a “wonderful job in very quickly identifying all of the people who were at risk of infection” and quarantining them.
He said of the 38 people identified as primary close contacts, 16 were from the Jetstar flight on Monday evening, 11 exposed in households and the remainder were principally people who were at the airport, either workers or visitors.
Dr Veitch said there were another potential 16 casual contacts who were in quarantine and were being interviewed to determine their risk level.
“I expect that process will be completed during the course of today,” he said.
“This response has been rapid, I believe it’s thorough.”
Dr Veitch said there was a “good chance” another case could arise.
“We have to be aware of the possibility,” he said.
Dr Veitch provided more details of the man’s movements from Hobart’s TraveLodge — confirming that he was “picked up by a friend and taken by private transport to the northern suburbs of Hobart”.
He said quarantining the contacts reduced the risk of spread into the community. “People take a day or two to become infectious, if they do become infectious,” he said.
Dr Veitch hoped the public would focus on the public exposure sites where the man had been, rather than rumoured sites.
“If you’re concerned about risk and you’ve got a sniffle, please get a test,” he said.
Dr Veitch said a testing bus in Gagebrook within the next few days would help put people in the northern suburbs at ease.
He said the northern suburbs had lower vaccination rates than other parts of the state, and urged locals to get their jab.
Dr Veitch said there was no infection risk “at all” at Blackmans Bay School, as all contacts had tested negative.
Public Health secretary Kathrine Morgan-Wicks said there had been 936 lab tests completed in the last 48 hours.
She said mobile testing facilities will be located at Gagebrook, Tottenham Road where people can turn up and get tested with no bookings required.
As at October 13, 81.3% of Tasmanians have had their first dose of the Covid vaccination, with Glenorchy sitting above the average at 82% with Brighton one of lower-jabbed LGAs at 71% first dose and 66% fully vaccinated.
A three-day pop up vaccination clinic will be running at the Brighton Civic Centre over today, tomorrow and Saturday.
“Anyone aged 12 and over can walk in and get a Pfizer vaccination without an appointment,” Ms Morgan-Wicks said.
Princes Wharf 1 also has special youth clinics this weekend (both days) and the mobile bus clinic will head to St Lennons on Monday, Westbury on Tuesday, Strahan on Wednesday, Tullah on Thursday and then Warratah, Beauty Point and Beaconsfield on Friday.
Two primary schools hit by Covid scares
11.45am update: Another Tasmanian primary school has been hit by a Covid scare, with two of its students being on the same flight as a man who breached border restrictions, escaped hotel quarantine and tested positive to Covid.
In an email to parents, seen by the Mercury, Blackmans Bay Primary School principal Della Wells updated families on the Covid situation:
“I can confirm that two students from the same family went home yesterday (13th October) as they have been identified as primary close contacts of the identified case due to travelling on the same flight,” Ms Wells wrote.
“Public Health has assessed this situation and have determined it is currently low risk, all contacts of the identified case will continue to remain in quarantine and undergo testing.
“We have been advised by Public Health that the school does not need to take any action at this time.”
The principal encouraged anyone experiencing even the mildest of Covid symptoms to get tested.
“I will continue to keep you informed if there are any changes to the situation and we will let you [know] the outcome of the family’s Covid test result, as soon as we are informed.”
An update sent to parents at 11.59am confirmed that the parents of the students currently in quarantine have tested negative to their recent Covid test.
Dozens of contacts in quarantine
10.35pm update: Dozens of people have been exposed to a Covid-positive man in Hobart’s northern suburbs, Premier Peter Gutwein has confirmed.
“We currently have 38 current primary close contacts, that includes 13 police officers,” he told parliament.
Mr Gutwein said there was an additional 12 casual contacts and a total of 32 people were in quarantine.
“Of the primary close contacts five of the tests have already come back negative,” he said.
He said two school students at the East Derwent Primary School have been identified as primary close contacts and had returned negative tests to rapid testing.
“I can confirm that two students went home yesterday (13th October) as they have been identified as primary close contacts of the identified case.’ said the school in a Facebook post.
“Public Health arranged urgent rapid testing of the students yesterday afternoon and I can confirm that the test results have come back negative.”
The school said that Public Health had assessed the situation and have determined it is currently low risk and the school does not need to take any further action.
All contacts of the identified case to remain in quarantine.
Anyone with even the mildest symptoms is being encouraged to get immediately tested.
The Premier is expected to hold a press conference on the outbreak at 1.30pm today.
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