Premier Peter Gutwein announces Kiwis classified as ‘low-risk’, quarantine measures eased

Premier Peter Gutwein has thrown open Tasmania’s borders again – but with some strict controls in place to ensure the safety of those in the state. REWATCH THE UPDATE >>

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PREMIER Peter Gutwein has thrown open Tasmania’s borders again – but with some strict controls in place to ensure the safety of those in the state.

Travellers will begin entering the state from Monday without quarantine for the first time since March, and those currently in quarantine from low-risk areas such as South Australia, Western Australia, the ACT, the Northern Territory and Queensland will be allowed out.

“Travellers from those low risk jurisdictions from those areas will no longer need to quarantine from October 26,” Mr Gutwein said.

REWATCH THE UPDATE BELOW >>

New Zealand will also be classified a low-risk jurisdiction, with Kiwis allowed to enter Tasmania without quarantining from Monday as well.

“On arrival in the terminal passengers will undergo health screening which will include a health check and questions as to whether they have any symptoms,” Mr Gutwein said.

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Interstate travellers coming from low-risk jurisdictions, travelling through medium and high risk jurisdictions will be able to enter the state without quarantining, provided they are only driving to the Spirit of Tasmania terminal or similar.

Incoming travellers from NSW will be able to quarantine in private residences from October 26 as well, with a mind to open to the state on November 2.

Regional Victoria will not be differentiated from metropolitan Melbourne in an effort to partially reopen the Tasmania to the state.

Tasmania’s State of Emergency will not be renewed in November, however the Public Health emergency will continue.

Director of Public Health Dr Mark Veitch outlined there may be more outdoor, seated events as a framework for Tasmania’s COVID-Safe events.

Director of Public Health Dr Mark Veitch during the coronavirus update. Picture Chris Kidd

“A seated event is safer than event where people can mix, and an outdoor event is safer than an indoor event,” he said.

Events will need to have a process to capture and trace patrons at events, screening at doors and social distancing in place as capacities increase outdoors to up to 10,000.

Dr Veitch has explained “vertical drinking” has been limited to allow more patrons into venues, and decrease chances of social contact potentially spreading COVID-19.

He also acknowledged that Tasmanians have dropped many social distancing habits such as touching and shaking hands.

“There’s a range of attitudes towards behaviour and risk and I think many people without the immediate threat within our state of ongoing cases have probably seen the sense of risk recede,” he said.

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