Crowds allowed back at Tasmanian sports grounds under eased coronavirus restrictions

Tasmanians will be free to do more from noon on Friday as the state relaxes more coronavirus restrictions.

CROWDS of up to 500 will be allowed to attend sporting events under eased coronavirus restrictions to be outlined by the Premier on Wednesday.

Tasmania is set to move early to stage three of restrictions from noon on Friday, when Premier Peter Gutwein will also make an announcement on opening the state border.

Mr Gutwein said the Government was keen to support business and the community by easing restrictions in line with public health advice.

“The aim will be to ensure we can allow freer movement of people and importantly some increases in gathering sizes to ensure we can continue our journey to return to a normal life,” he said.

Lifting the limit on crowd numbers at sporting events will be a huge boost for many of the state’s sporting leagues, such as the SFL. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

The larger crowds for sporting events will be a lifeline for regional sporting leagues reliant on supporters coming through the gates.

The SFL’s decision on whether to go ahead with a 2020 season was dependent on spectators being allowed at games.

The TSL and TSLW seasons are due to start on July 11.

What else stage three will involve depends on public health advice.

However it will likely mean still-closed businesses, such as gaming venues, can reopen and relaxed rules for gyms and sports centres.

CALL TO LEAVE STATE’S POKIES UNPLUGGED

Premier Peter Gutwein says the easing of restrictions will “continue our journey to return to a normal life”. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

It is understood Mr Gutwein is also considering pleas from the small businesses and hospitality sectors to change the one person per four-square-metre rule to two square metres.

Acknowledging the state’s borders “can’t stay shut forever”, Mr Gutwein said Friday’s announcement on interstate travel was timed following mainland events, including the Black Lives Matter protests.

“It will be three weeks by this Saturday since the major rallies were held on the mainland and two weeks this coming Saturday since South Australia allowed 2500 people to go to a football match. So the timing of this week in terms of both our restrictions being lifted and also in terms of our borders was important because it provided us with an opportunity to see what was occurring in the rest of the country. I make no apologies for that,” Mr Gutwein said.