State’s new mask mandate fails to deter Salamanca Market crowds

Tasmania’s new mask rules have failed to deter the thousands of people who rocked up at Salamanca Market, with stallholders praising attendees’ attitudes.

NEW rules enforcing masks at public events in Tasmania are now in play, but the thousands of happy visitors at Salamanca Market on Saturday did not seem to mind one bit.

As of this weekend, anyone attending an event with more than 1000 people must wear a mask, including concerts, sporting matches, religious events, and, of course, Salamanca Market.

Jera Conan and Brian Marriott, who own the Celtmania stall at Salamanca, said all their customers had been happy and compliant to wear masks.

“It’s a small price to pay and it’s your duty. Everyone pulls up at a roundabout, and everyone gives way to the right – it’s their duty and nobody has a problem with that,” Mr Marriott said.

Brian Marriott serves Emily Ward and Bec Ward, from Brisbane, at his Celtmania jewellery stall at Salamanca Market. Picture: Richard Jupe

Queensland tourists Elena Gadoury and Ben Clayton said they were used to wearing masks in their home state and had no problem donning them for the market.

“We’re acclimatised to it these days,” Mr Clayton said.

“Everyone’s got in the habit of having to put one on. It’s just day-to-day.”

The official numbers recorded for Salamanca Market showed the requirement to wear a mask failed to put a dent in attendance.

According to the City of Hobart, 7000 people had attended the market by 1pm – the same as the week before.

Masks mandatory for large events across Tassie

Tassie is dashing to the finish line to have 80 per cent of people fully vaccinated by Melbourne Cup Day and 90 per cent double-jabbed by the first day of Summer.

Premier Peter Gutwein announced the ambitious targets on Friday to coincide a new home-quarantine system for Tasmanians returning from regional NSW.

Mr Gutwein said the 30-day trial commencing next Friday would allow travellers to quarantine for two-weeks at home if they were the sole occupant of the house, had received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, and had returned a negative Covid test.

“It’s important that we bring more Tasmanians home, from New South Wales especially,” he said.

“We have a waiting list currently of 199 people.”

Mr Gutwein said from next Thursday, 108 rooms will open at the Travelodge for returning Tasmanians and 100 international quarantine rooms will open at the Ibis Hotel.

Another key change from Saturday was the introduction of mandatory masks for all indoor and outdoor gatherings exceeding 1000 people.

The Premier said the rule has been introduced so Tasmanians could “begin preparing to live with Covid”.

Some 69 per cent of Tasmanians have received their first vaccine as at Wednesday.

Mr Gutwein said Tasmania was expected to reach 70 per cent of people over 16 fully vaccinated by early-to-mid October.

“Under the national plan there needs to be an average of 80 per cent of eligible people across the country vaccinated before any state can open up,” he said.

“We expect that across the country … that will be hit some time in mid-to-late November.

“We want to set a target … to reach 80 per cent vaccinated by Melbourne Cup Day (November 2).

“If we have a real go at vaccination we could have 90 per cent of eligible Tasmanians vaccinated by the first week of December.”

Mr Premier named the new plan “Spring into Summer”.

Mr Gutwein said Pfizer doses through GPs and Moderna doses through pharmacies were now available for people aged over 60.

Pharmacy technician, preparing a batch of the Pfizer vaccine for distribution. Picture: Wayne Taylor, NCA NewsWire.

He said the government was considering extending opening GP and pharmacy opening hours to support the rollout.

Health Department Secretary Kathrine Morgan-Wicks said Burnie Arts and Function Centre would transform into a Super Sunday Clinic and double its usual appointment load, with extra appointments also arriving on Wednesday.

Launceston’s Door of Hope will host a super clinic next weekend, and on October 30-31.

The Mac2 super clinic will return on October 9-10, and a pop-up clinic will arrive in Huonville Town Hall from October 11-13.

‘Spring into Summer’: Push to reach 90 per cent vaccination rate by December 1

As Tasmania’s hotel quarantine is at capacity the state government will be trialling home quarantine for residents returning from NSW from next Friday.

“From next Friday we are going to commence a new 30-day home quarantine trial,” said Premier Peter Gutwein.

Requirements for those that wish to quarantine at home include a double vaccination, a negative Covid test and suitable property for isolation.

Premier Peter Gutwein has announced a push in Covid vaccinations in the hope that 90% of Tasmanians will be fully vaccinated by December 1.

As the state’s six week vaccination blitz comes to an end this week, the state government has launched their ‘Spring into Summer’ campaign to continue the vaccination push.

“I’ve asked the vaccination team to continue to lift the pace of the rollout. We want to aim for achieving 90% of Tasmanians by the first day of summer which will be December 1st.” said Premier Gutwein.

“Our first target is to reach 80% by Melbourne Cup day the 2nd of November – this is a race and we want to use this day as a target.”

Premier Peter Gutwein is providing a livestreamed Covid and vaccination update

LIVE CORONAVIRUS UPDATE | Friday 17 September 2021.

LIVE CORONAVIRUS UPDATE | Friday 17 September 2021.

Posted by Peter Gutwein on Thursday, September 16, 2021

Tasmanians attending events with more than 1000 people will be required to wear masks in the latest tightening of rules designed to contain the risk of coronavirus.

Premier Peter Gutwein announced the new restrictions — which will apply to events such as Salamanca Markets which have approval to host large numbers of people.

“From one minute past midnight next Friday night it will be mandatory now for people who attend events with 1000 people or more to wear masks and that will be mask wearing at indoor or outdoor events where 1000 are attending,” he said.