Everything you need to know about how coronavirus impacts your life

Have a question about how coronavirus is affecting your life in Tasmania? Our Q&A will answer everything you need to know.

TOUGH new stage three restrictions have hit Tasmania, leaving many confused about what they can and can’t do in their day-to-day lives.

The Mercury has compiled a list of all the questions you might have about how the coronavirus pandemic will impact you and your family.

What is coronavirus, or COVID-19?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses – some cause illness in humans, where some cause illness in animals.

Sometimes, animal coronaviruses can evolve to spread to humans. This caused severe diseases like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is a new strain of coronavirus causing illness among humans. This disease's name is COVID-19.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms range from a mild illness to pneumonia.

Most people experience mild flu-like symptoms such as a fever, cough, sore throat, and shortness of breath. Some people also lose their sense of smell.

Some people who contract COVID-19 experience severe illness, and a small proportion die.

Older people and those with underlying medical conditions seem to be more at risk.

It can take up to 14 days for symptoms to show after a person has been infected.

Is there a cure?

There is no treatment for COVID-19, however medical care can treat most of the symptoms.

A vaccine is not yet available.

How does COVID-19 spread?

Through close contact with an infectious person and coming in contact with droplets from the sneeze or cough of an infectious person.

You can also contract the disease by touching objects or surfaces an infectious person may have touched or coughed or sneezed near, and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.

What do I do if I think I have the coronavirus?

Phone your GP or call the Tasmanian Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738. Tell them about your symptoms, any recent travel, and whether you’re a close contact of a confirmed case.

If you have serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, call triple-0 and ask for an ambulance.

You can also call the National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080 for more information.

What is self-isolation?

Self-isolation means staying at home or in your accommodation for 14-days, unless accessing important arranged medical care.

You cannot leave the house otherwise, or you could incur a penalty of up to $16,800.

Only people who usually live with you should be in the home.

You cannot see visitors.

Why might I need to self-isolate?

Anyone arriving into Tasmania or confirmed as a close-contact of a coronavirus patient must self-isolate for 14 days.

Self-isolating is important to prevent the spread of the virus, as it can take up to 14 days for someone infected with the virus to become unwell, and it’s possible to spread the virus to others 24 hours before you begin to feel sick.

Can I visit my relatives?

Premier Peter Gutwein has asked Tasmanians not to visit friends and family across the Easter period and adhere to strict lockdown measures, with fines and potential jail time looming for those who flout the rules.

Visits to hospitals and nursing homes have also been banned.

Can I leave my home if I’m not in self-isolation?

Tasmanians are urged to stay at home unless absolutely necessary.

However, people are able to:

• Go shopping for essential supplies or services;

• Undertake personal exercise;

• Attend medical or health care appointments or medical treatment;

• Provide social support or care to another person;

• Attend school or study, if unable to be done from a person’s home;

• Attend work, or volunteering, if unable to be done from a person’s home;

• Seek veterinary services for an animal;

• Perform essential maintenance, or security inspections, of another premises owned or occupied by the person;

• Attend another location if you have a reasonable reason to attend the location.

What is considered essential supplies?

Food and other household supplies, alongside pharmaceutical or medical supplies, are considered essential.

Supplies needed for urgent home repairs or maintenance, or getting your vehicle serviced or repaired, are also essential.

As long as a business is not a prohibited venue you’re able to shop for supplies or services needed to keep your household running and to care for members of your household.

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How often can I leave my house to get supplies?

As often as necessary, however it is suggested that you limit this to as few times a week as possible.

Should I be going to work?

Yes, you should, however ensure that you’re following social distancing rules.

If you can and your employer agrees, you should be working from home.

Should I still be going to school?

Parents who are able to provide appropriate care for their children at home are encouraged to do so.

However, schools will remain open to provide an education for children that do attend, and will continue their work transitioning to a new operating model to provide home and online learning and for the support of essential service workers.

Schools will remain open for the remainder of term one, however students will only need to attend until April 3.

What about childcare?

If required, children can still attend childcare.

Should grandparents still be looking after their grandchildren?

The state’s elderly population is at a higher risk of contracting coronavirus.

Elderly people should always be kept away from any unwell children that are present in the household.

This does not mean grandparents cannot see grandchildren, however extra care should be taken to avoid any contact with someone unwell.

Can I take my kids to the park?

You can, however children should not be using the playground or exercise equipment.

Can I check on my neighbours?

You can provide support to your neighbours, however only two people can visit at any one time.

Can I go to the post office?

Yes, collecting mail is considered essential.

Can I still go see my GP?

Yes, you can. If you have any symptoms of respiratory illness make sure you phone ahead and let them know.

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Can I go to my shack over Easter?

No, you cannot go to your shack for the school holidays or for Easter.

You cannot go to your shack at any time unless to conduct urgent maintenance or repairs, or for a day trip to check security.

Tasmania’s shack communities are small, and many are the place of choice for our older retired community. It is well understood retirees are older and more vulnerable, so by moving between your house and your shack you are creating a greater risk to the community.

What happens for families who share custody?

Custody arrangements still need to be managed and adhered to, unless altered by mutual arrangements.

Children can live at each partners’ home in line with custody agreements.

What penalties or fines will be applied for non-compliance?

People can be arrested, summonsed, and charged with penalties of up to $16,800 or six months jail time.

Can I donate blood?

Yes, you can still give blood.

Tasmanians who regularly donate blood are still encouraged to do so if they are well.

What happens if I return to Tasmania from the mainland?

All non-essential travellers will be quarantined in a government-run facility at a hotel for 14 days.

During this time you cannot have visitors and must not leave your room.

The State Government will cover the basic expenses of your isolation.

Families with children and young people aged 17 and under who are Tasmanian residents are exempt, and must instead self-isolate in their primary residence.

Tasmanian unaccompanied minors are also except and must self-isolate in their primary residence.

What is classified as an essential traveller?

• Government senior officials;
• Active military personnel required to be on duty in Tasmania;
• A member of the Commonwealth Parliament who is a resident of Tasmania;
• A Tasmanian health clinician who is requested by the Secretary of the Department of Health, or their delegate, to return to Tasmania for duty;
• Those who work in the transport of freight or logistics into, within, and out of the state;
• Flight and ship crew for the purpose of the delivery of people, freight, or logistics in, out, and within the state;
• Specialists required for industry or business continuity and maintenance of competitive operations, where the appropriate skills are not available in Tasmania and requires the person to be physically present in the state;
• A person who is responsible for critical maintenance or repair of critical infrastructure;
• Any person travelling from Antarctica directly to Tasmania;
• A paramedic, or officer of Ambulance Tasmania, who is returning to Tasmania as soon as practicable after providing medical transport to a patient or returning to the state while providing medical transport to a person;
• A paramedic, or officer of Ambulance Tasmania, who is a resident and is requested by the Commissioner of Ambulance Services, or their delegate, to return to the state for duty;
• A person who’s self-isolation is deemed to lead to unusual, undeserved, or disproportionate hardship;
• A person who is deemed to be essential for the proper functioning of Tasmania.
• A person travelling on compassionate grounds, medical grounds, or other reasons considered on individual merit.

I’m concerned about a person not complying with self-isolation requirements.

What can I do?

Visit dpipwe.tas.gov.au and fill out a form for reporting non-compliance.

Do you have a question we haven’t answered? Let us know in the comments below.