DAILY BLOG, March 17: What does a ‘public health emergency’ mean for you?

The Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre (DKHAC) will close from this evening in response to concerns around the potential spread of COVID-19.

KEY POINTS:

• The seventh case of coronavirus in Tasmania has been confirmed
• A public health emergency has been declared
• Incoming travellers will need to provide their details if they are returning from travel overseas.
• GPs call for immediate school closures to control the spread of the disease
• UTAS and schools taking preventative measures, consider closing
• A GP and Labor candidate says Tasmania’s schools and universities need to be closed now
• Elective surgery could stall in Tasmania as hospitals look to increase capacity and ways to best to isolate patients as the coronavirus crisis grows.
• The final round of the Sheffield Shield has been called off

4.45pm: CASH FOR ISOLATION: PREMIER UNVEILS $420M STIMULUS PACKAGE

Cash payments for people required to self-isolate and tax breaks for business headline the State Government's $420 million coronavirus stimulus package.

Premier Peter Gutwein announced the details of the government's response to the pandemic in state parliament today.

He announced one-off emergency relief payments of $250 for individuals and up to $1000 for families who are required to self-isolate by public health as a result of coronavirus.

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4.40pm: HOBART AQUATIC CENTRE TO CLOSE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

The school holiday Splash Program at The Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre. Picture : MATT THOMPSON

The Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre (DKHAC) will close from this evening in response to concerns around the potential spread of COVID-19.

City of Hobart General Manager Nick Heath said the closure was a precautionary measure amid concerns around the spread of the virus in enclosed spaces.

“We’ve chosen to close the centre as a precaution to protect our staff, as well as members and visitors to the centre,” Mr Heath said.

“We understand there are genuine concerns around attending venues such as the aquatic centre and we feel the responsible decision is to close the venue until further notice.”

DKHAC has already cancelled its swimming lessons program for the duration of term one. DKHAC memberships will be suspended for the duration of the closure and members are being contacted directly.

“We will review the closure in two weeks’ time and will continue to take advice from the Tasmanian Department of Health,” Mr Heath said.

“At the same time, we are continuing to monitor advice around other City operations and will provide any further updates as they become available.”

4.22pm: IN THE HANGING GARDEN, ODEON THEATRE AND ÀLTAR TEMPORARILY CLOSED

To assist public health services in their efforts to ensure the health and wellbeing of the community, DarkLab venues In The Hanging Garden, Odeon Theatre, and Àltar are temporarily closed until further notice. 

All upcoming events and performances have been cancelled or postponed, and organisers are doing all they can to reschedule shows to later dates. Ticket holders will be contacted with the relevant information over the next few days.  

 

3.30pm: SPIEGELTENT EVENTS CANCELLED

Cast of Deluxe Deluxe, the headline act for the three-week season of Spiegeltent 2019 in Hobart. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Two acts have been cancelled performances at Spiegeltent and customers are being notified now.

Shades of Bublé (Friday March 27) and Aboriginal Comedy Allstars (Sunday March 22)  have informed organisers in light of the recent situation surrounding COVID – 19, they won’t be able to make it to Hobart.

The Spiegeltent team will be in touch regarding ticket options as soon as possible.

The headline act, Blanc de Blanc, playing nightly, is proceeding as planned, as are all other acts at this point in time. 

3pm: COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETINGS CALLED OFF 

General Manager Nick Heath has advised that City of Hobart Committee Meetings will be temporarily cancelled in response to concerns around COVID-19 and the implementation of social distancing standards.

The cancellation includes this afternoon’s scheduled Finance and Governance Committee meeting and will be reviewed in two weeks.

The Council Meeting on Monday 23 March will proceed as scheduled, as per the requirements under the Local Government Act. Social distancing and additional hygiene measures will be implemented to protect participants, staff and members of the public in attendance.

12.32pm: WHAT DOES A ‘PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY’ MEAN FOR YOU?

The state’s Public Health Director will be given increased power amid the coronavirus pandemic with the declaration of a Public Health Emergency set to take place this afternoon.

Premier Peter Gutwein announced this morning announced the declaration would be made today.

“Tasmanians are well aware of the state emergency provisions, we’ve operated under those before when we’ve had to face bushfires. But we are not at that point yet,” he said.

“I want to take a moment to explain the graduated process we work through in situations like this. Tasmanians would be well aware of what a state emergency is. Under the State Emergency Management act, when we have bushfires those powers are utilised and [Tasmania Police Commissioner] Darren Hine takes a role in terms of the State Emergency Management Committee.”

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11.52am: POKIES TO CLOSE UNDER SOCIAL DISTANCING MEASURES

Wrest Point Hotel and Casino renovations. Picture: FIONA HARDING

EVERY second poker machine will be closed in Federal Group’s casinos and pubs under social distancing measures.

The initiative will be introduced in gaming rooms at Wrest Point in Hobart, Country Club in Launceston and in the group’s 12 community pubs.

The Federal Group announced the action on Tuesday morning.

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• RSL BOSS STANDS BY DECISION TO CANCEL SERVICES

“We are constantly monitoring the advice of health and government authorities and will respond to the rapidly changing requirements as needed,’’ a spokesman said.

“This initiative is in addition to increased cleaning measures on our gaming floors and all facilities, as well as the provision of hand sanitiser for staff and guests.”

Federal Group has also introduced social distancing measures in its restaurants and cancelled entertainment shows until at least July 1.

More to come...

9.37am: PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY DECLARED, K BLOCK COMMANDEERED

Health Minister Sarah Courtney said the Government has taken possession of the Royal Hobart Hospital’s K-Block development following ongoing delays.

Ms Courtney said this morning that the project team had determined outstanding issues would be addressed during operational commissioning.

Water quality and airconditioning noise had been blamed for continued delays to the opening of the long-awaited development.

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7am: SCHOOLS MAKE CALL ON CLOSURES

SCHOOL and university campuses will be looking empty with the state’s university and two schools closing their doors to transition to online learning.

Following Launceston’s Scotch Oakburn College’s move to online teaching for two weeks, Southern Christian College announced today it would close from Tuesday.

In a letter to parents, College Council chairman Adrian McKenna said the school’s campus would close, with students to move to online learning for at least two weeks.

 

St Mary's College in Hobart will remain open for now.

 

MORE NEWS

• Country star blown away by Launceston couple’s act of kindness
• RSL Tasmania cancels Anzac Day services
• Supreme Court halts jury trials amid coronavirus crisis

Catholic Education Tasmania said it would continue to take advice from public health officials and the Minister for Education and Training in relation to coronavirus.

Scotch College became the first Tasmanian school to close its campus due to coronavirus, moving students to full e-learning from home for at least the next two weeks.

The University of Tasmania on Monday began a staged transition to get students and staff working from home.

In an email to staff, Vice-Chancellor Rufus Black said their first priority would be the delivery of lectures online, and then to add online tutorials, with the aim to move toward a whole institution test on Friday.

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