North West lockdown may continue past Sunday

UPDATED: Premier Peter Gutwein has warned that coronavirus lockdown measures in the state’s outbreak epicentre may remain in place for longer than originally planned.

THE tough restrictions in place in Tasmania’s coronavirus epicentre might not be lifted on Sunday as first planned, Premier Peter Gutwein has warned.

The North-West is home to two thirds of the state’s 205 COVID-19 cases, with 117 directly linked to an outbreak at the North West Regional Hospital and the neighbouring private facility.

Up to 5000 people — health care workers, former patients and their families — were put in quarantine, and the largest tranche is due to come out of isolation on Sunday or Monday.

The latest four new cases, recorded on Wednesday, came from the region.

Mr Gutwein on Thursday warned that while the extra restrictions placed on the region — which he said were the toughest in Australia — were due to be lifted on Sunday, they might now stay in place for another week.

He said an announcement would be made today.

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The news was not welcomed by the Tasmanian Small Business Council and the Australian Lottery and Newsagents Association, who both called on the Government to lift the stringent lockdown requirements for complying small businesses, subject to strict testing for COVID-19.

Tasmanian Small Business Council CEO Robert Mallett said he understood the cases of COVID-19 being reported were from those required to self-isolate, as result of being associated with or working at the North West Regional Hospital and its private counterpart.

“If it is the case that the outbreak is only being contained to those required to self-isolate due to their association with the North West Regional Hospital, then surely the stricter lock down conditions for small businesses in the region could be lifted,” Mr Mallett said.

“Obviously, those who have been subjected to two weeks of self-isolation will need to be tested prior to their release, but this shouldn’t stop the rest of the community being able to resume activities in line with the rest of the state.”

No shops other than grocery stores, food outlets, chemists, service stations, bottle shops and some newsagencies are open in the region, stretching from Latrobe to the West Coast.

Mr Gutwein also warned the broader Tasmanian community that not all restrictions would be lifted on May 15.

“We are working with public health to plot a path way back,” he said.