More aged care homes report infections as cases rise across Tas

The state’s top business body says isolation rules should be relaxed to stop staff absenteeism crippling more sectors of the economy. HAVE YOUR SAY >>

THE STATE’S peak business body says national cabinet needs to relax isolation rules to stop staff absenteeism crippling more sectors of the economy.

“It doesn’t make sense for people to be forced to isolate when they don’t have Covid-19,” Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief Michael Bailey said.

“We’ve seen national cabinet relax that rule for some industries, such as transport, but given how integrated our economy is you can’t pick and choose which industries that should apply to.”

Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Michael Bailey at the Salamanca Market. Picture: Chris Kidd

Tasmania recorded 1583 new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday taking the total number of active cases to 8764.

More businesses reported they needed to close, more events were cancelled and shoppers reported empty shelves at some major supermarkets.

“Transport and logistics workers don’t have to isolate if they are a close contact unless they have Covid. While that helps keep our warehouses working, shops are empty because the same exemption doesn’t apply to the retail workers who stack the shelves.

“We would like to see only those with Covid required to isolate and more flexible rules for close contacts who have tested negative.”

Labor has called on the Tasmanian Government to urgently issue a work from home directive to protect public servants from Covid-19 infection.

“Workers, particularly immunocompromised workers, have been advised by the government they should remain in their workplaces and raise any work from home arrangements on an individual basis with their employer,” Member for Bass Michelle O’Byrne said.

Michelle O, Byrne MP. Picture Chris Kidd

“The government needs to immediately publish and circulate a public statement supporting Tasmanians who need to work from home to do just that.”

Premier Peter Gutwein said the State Service was monitoring the number of employees who test positive as well as staff on leave due to Covid-19.

“Heads of Agency meet regularly to review working arrangements and at this stage it is considered that a blanket work from home rule is not required,” he said.

“For many state servants, working from home is not needed or feasible.

“We have extensive safeguards in place in our work places such as mask wearing, social distancing, and hygiene measures.”

Meanwhile, work is underway at Tasmania’s public schools in readiness for the still-planned return to school on February 9.

Sarah Courtney MP. Picture: Chris Kidd

Education Minister Sarah Courtney said the department was now implementing a range of measures including natural ventilation improvements, air purifiers, enhancing outdoor learning and additional cleaning arrangements to ensure the safety of students.

The work includes assessing external school windows.

“I am advised that of the 12,329 perimeter rooms in schools, 2614 rooms required repairs, with a total of 8018 windows needing repair,” Ms Courtney said.

“The bulk of this work will occur while schools are closed for the summer break.

“One thousand air purifiers have been received by the department, with more than 800 already delivered to schools with more to be received and distributed before the start of term.”

Labor wants the government to release a full audit including all of the ventilation data for all Department of Education buildings.

More aged care homes report infections as cases rise across Tasmania

THE number of Covid-19 positive people in hospital in Tasmania has climbed as the number of aged care homes with infected residents and staff continues to grow.

The number of active cases in the state rose by 1583 overnight to 8764.

22 people are in hospital with the virus but only eight patients are being treated specifically for Covid.

It comes as another aged care home – Southern Cross Care in New Town – records a positive case taking the number of homes impacted to 24.

“We need to get booster shots into the arms of residents and workers immediately,” Franklin MP Julie Collins said.

“We are hearing of families taking loved ones out of care and down to the local pharmacy to get their booster. This just is not good enough.”

Julie Collins MP at parliament lawns, Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

Lyons MP Brian Mitchell said the lack of forward planning by both federal and state governments meant elderly Tasmanians were being condemned to solitary confinement away from loved ones because the State opened its borders before it was ready to cope with a Omicron outbreak.

“There has now been 10,000 cases in Tasmania in a month and now the state is facing supply chain issues and food shortages,” Mr Mitchell said.

Deputy Tasmanian Labor Leader Anita Dow said the outbreak of Covid-19 on King Island showed it was time for the Tasmanian Government to invest in permanent paramedics on the Bass Strait islands.

Brian Mitchell MP and Julie Collins MP at parliament lawns, Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

“Right now, on King and Flinders Island there are no permanent paramedics and their ambulances are staffed by volunteers,” Ms Dow said.

“These volunteers do a terrific job, however due to their location, they receive less face-to-face support and training than others around the state.

“Labor went to the election with a policy to hire permanent paramedics across the state, including King Island and Flinders Island and the government should commit to the same.

“The current Covid outbreak on King Island makes the case for a permanent paramedic stronger.

“I call on the Premier and Health Minister to hire more permanent paramedics in regional areas around the state, they are vital to keeping Tasmanians safe.”