Freight workers to be tested when they enter Tasmania

Public health authorities have assured freight workers will be tested when entering the state, falling in line with national guidelines as Premier Peter Gutwein announced cash grants to casual and low-income earners in quarantine. REWATCH THE UPDATE >>

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• Spirit of Tasmania contractor tests positive for COVID-19

LATEST: HEALTH authorities have reassured the public the Victorian Spirit of Tasmania COVID-19 case did not have a public role.

A public health review determined when the contractor was potentially infectious, their work did not involve any contact with members of the public, nor did it pose any risk to passengers coming to Tasmania.

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Referencing the case of a contractor for the Spirit of Tasmania, Dr McKeown said Public Health was informed of the positive diagnosis on Wednesday night.

He said it was a Victorian case, and that Public Health Services interviewed them on Thursday to assess the potential threat to Tasmania.

“It’s clear from our Public Health assessment yesterday that the person when they were infectious – on Saturday, Sunday and Monday – that they didn’t work in a role which had contact with members of the public or passengers,’’ Dr McKeown said.

Dr McKeown stressed that the case did not have contact with Spirit of Tasmania passengers.

“This case does not pose a threat to Tasmania,’’ he said.

Deputy Director of Public Health Dr Scott McKeown during the press conference. Picture: Chris Kidd

He said a risk assessment was being done by the Spirit of Tasmania, including a review of COVID safety plans, in consultation with WorkSafe Tasmania and Public Health Services.

Mr Gutwein said he became aware of the Spirit of Tasmania-related case on Thursday morning.

The government will also extend grant payments to casual or low-income employees to encourage them to follow self-isolation rules.

Premier Peter Gutwein said the grant of $250 per individual and up to $1000 per family would be made to casual or low-income workers who did not have access to sick pay.

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Mr Gutwein said this would be done to support people who were unwell to isolate and stay at home until they get their results.

“If you are unwell, don’t go to work,’’ he said.

“It doesn’t matter if you are in an aged care setting, a hotel setting, or at one of our hospitals … get tested and isolate until you get a result.”

Mr Gutwein said the COVID-19 situation in Victoria, including outbreaks in aged care settings, had been extensively discussed when National Cabinet met on Friday.

The Premier said coronavirus testing numbers remained strong in Tasmania, with 595 conducted on Thursday, and that the state remained free of any active cases of the virus.

Premier Peter Gutwein briefing on COVID-19 in wake of Victoria’s devastating outbreak. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Acting Director of Public Health Scott McKeown said Tasmanians were likely to be experiencing two emotions – fear and complacency.

“It’s very understandably that we can be fearful of an outbreak in Tasmania, similar to what we’re in Victoria,’’ he said.

“It would be devastating to go through such a large outbreak.

“Yet we can also feel complacent when there are no current cases in Tasmania and that complacency can be thinking there is no threat out there.”

Dr McKeown said Tasmanians needed to balance feelings of fear and complacency with an understanding of the layers of protection, including strong border measures and personal hygiene.

EARLIER: PREMIER Peter Gutwein is expected to talk about a shore-based Spirit of Tasmania contractor who contracted COVID-19.

The person had not been in contact with the public or passengers while potentially infectious, TT Line has assured.

In a statement, TT Line said it was advised on Wednesday of the contractor’s coronavirus diagnosis.

“The relevant authorities were notified, including the Department of Health and Human Services in Victoria, Department of Health in Tasmania and WorkSafe Victoria,’’ the statement read.

Victoria has recorded 450 coronavirus cases and 11 deaths, while the state government has announced special consideration will be made available to every high school certificate student.

The deaths include a woman in her 50s. Seven of the deaths are connected to aged care facilities.

1548 active cases are currently linked to aged care facilities, of a total of 7637 active cases.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said there were 66 new “mystery cases”, a lower number than in previous days.

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