Live blog, May 26: No new cases 11 days running

Tasmania has reported no new cases of coronavirus for the 11th day running as some Stage 2 state restrictions could be eased before the Queen’s Birthday long weekend. REWATCH THE COVID-19 UPDATE HERE

This coronavirus article is unlocked and free to read in the interest of community health and safety.

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Stripped back version of ‘iconic’ food festival on the cards
• Hope for Tassie businesses in JobKeeper bungle
• Report recommendations acted on
• REVEALED: Tassie’s road map out of COVID-19 restrictions
• Tasmanian tourism jobs still in limbo
• What went wrong? Experts offer their views

READ MORE:

• Everything we know about the cases of COVID-19 in Tasmania
• Where each case of coronavirus occurred in Tasmania
• What restrictions have eased in stage one

8.50pm: NO NEW CASES FOR 11TH DAY RUNNING

NO new cases of coronavirus have been diagnosed for the 11th day running.

The state’s total remains at 226 cases with only eight active cases.

Analysis of testing is continuing.

No booking is required at the pop-up Glenorchy and Mowbray Clinics, which are open for drive-ups from 10am to 3.50pm (Glenorchy) and 10am to 3:30pm (Mowbray) on Wednesday 27 May and Thursday 28 May.

7.30pm: SIX TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 IN WA

A COVID-19-infected live export ship was apparently cleared by a federal department to dock at Fremantle Port in Western Australia prior to local workers going on board.

The Al Kuwait arrived on Friday after sailing from the United Arab Emirates.

Six of the 48 multinational crew tested positive to the virus.

According to WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson, half a dozen Fremantle Port workers boarded the ship since it docked.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

4.11pm: KICKED, PUNCHED, REFUSED SERVICE: THE UGLY, RACIST SIDE OF COVID-19

GOVERNMENT-led public awareness campaigns are needed to help bring an end to ugly acts of racism fed by myths relating to coronavirus, a multicultural group says.

It comes after long-term Tasmanian residents of Vietnamese descent were reportedly blamed for coronavirus and physically abused in the streets of Launceston.

The latest example of discrimination followed an attack on Chinese students in New Town in March, for which a 38-year-old man was jailed for two months after pleading guilty to assault.

Hobart man Edward Chan said he was yelled at in March during a trip to KFC at Eastlands by three men who appeared to be around the age of 16.

He said they called him a “mother f***ing Chinese wearing a mother f***ing mask”.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

2.29pm: CAN WE FINALLY HUG OUR LOVED ONES AGAIN? 

At the height of the coronavirus pandemic, older Tasmanians were urged to stay away from their children and grandchildren given age is a major risk factor for COVID-19.

But as the number of active cases in the state continues to fall, Public Health has declared it’s not the “hugging police”.

Director Dr Mark Veitch said while common sense was key, wanting a warm embrace was understandable during these tough times.

“Coronavirus infection has taken a terrible toll on people emotionally,” he said.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

11.45pm: RESTRICTIONS COULD BE EASED EARLY

SOME Stage 2 state restrictions could be eased a week ahead of the initial date set if we continue to see the “stable situation” we have in Tasmania at present.

Premier Peter Gutwein this morning said there were only eight active cases remaining across the state, with no positive tests confirmed in the past 10 days.

But both the Premier and Public Health officials are urging people to continue “to turn up and get tested”.

“We’ve now tested nearly 25,000 Tasmanians,” Mr Gutwein said.

“It’s one of the safeguards that will stand us in very good stead for recovery as we gradually step ourselves out of this.

“If this was a football match, we’re now in the last quarter. But it ain’t over till it’s over.

“We are in a good place but we need to get to a better place. I don’t want to open up our economy just to shut it down again.”

Mr Gutwein said Stage 1 restrictions appeared to be going “very well” so far.

He confirmed some Stage 2 restrictions could be eased before the Queen’s Birthday long weekend (June 6-8), dependent on public health advice.

“If we continue to see the stable situation that we have in Tasmania, we will look at easing some of the restrictions, hopefully ahead of the June long weekend,” Mr Gutwein said.

“We’ll review the restrictions next week as planned, and we will move on from there.

“Unlike other states, I am not going to change our pathway based on political expediency.”

Mr Gutwein also announced he would unveil “what will be without question, the most aggressive construction program in Tasmania’s history” at some stage next week.

“I’m certain that they’ll be strong interest in this,” he said.

“This will be the first major step in our rebuild program.

“I have every confidence that by building off this base we will get through this.”

11am: THE STATE GOVERNMENT’S COVID-19 UPDATE

7.25am: SCHOOL RETURN MAY LEAVE STUDENTS WEARY

AFTER 10 weeks of homeschooling Tasmanian primary school students returned to the classroom on Monday.

Child psychologist Cassie Xintavelonis said some children would take a while to adjust to the new routine.

“We need to allow that kids may be quite tired after school, they need time to decompress,” she said.

“We can expect a range of emotions – tears, clinginess, exhaustion, hyperactivity, excitement, anger and frustration. All those responses are to be expected and we need to make allowances for that.”

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

6.50am: ‘HIGH-POWERED’ RECOVERY TEAM MEETING DETAILS

A COMMITTEE tasked with devising a blueprint to restart Tasmania’s economy amid the coronavirus crisis will provide its first advice back to the government next month.

Premier Peter Gutwein on Monday joined the Economic and Social Recovery Advisory Council to discuss the steps towards rebuilding the state as it emerges from the health and economic challenges caused by COVID-19.

The council of community and business leaders, chaired by former Treasury chief Don Challen, was announced in parliament last month and has already met several times.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

6am: PARTY HOST WRITTEN UP UNDER COVID-19 LAWS

THE host of a large gathering has ended up in trouble with police after they breached COVID-19 restrictions.

The host of a party at West Ulverstone was slapped with a police caution over the weekend for flouting COVID-19 laws with a gathering of 15 guests.

Police have reminded Tasmanians not to become complacent about the rules or potentially face on-the-spot fines, a summons to court or an arrest, following the introduction of emergency legislation in March.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Monday, 8.30pm: NO NEW CASES FOR 10TH DAY IN A ROW

TASMANIA has marked its 10th day without any new confirmed cases of coronavirus.

The state’s total remains at 226, with 203 people now recovered.

Any Tasmanian with cold or flu-like symptoms such as a cough, sore throat, runny nose, or fever should contact their GP or call the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 to arrange testing for coronavirus.