Trials and triumphs of a Hobart homeschooling through Covid
Homeschooling has been a “nightmare” at times for a local mother-of-nine, but she says it also comes with its fair share of heartwarming experiences.
Coronavirus
New business steps up amid Covid closures
Many hospitality and retail venues have shut their doors, but one new business has picked now to open shop.
New data shows a third of aged care homes impacted by Covid
Twenty-three aged care homes that recorded positive Covid cases among staff and/or residents are in lockdown with no visitors allowed.
Tasmania’s Health secretary tests positive to Covid
One of Tasmania’s top health bosses has tested positive to Covid and is now isolating at home. DETAILS >>
Is it time for Tassie to ditch the check in?
Do check-in QR codes have a future in Tasmania? That’s the question the state’s peak business body has put to the government. LATEST + HAVE YOUR SAY >>
Labor attacks Libs’ ‘on the fly’ health policy change
A move to allow nurses and paramedics to continue to work after being deemed close contacts of a Covid case shows the state is not ready to deal with an influx of Covid cases, Labor says.
Mail on hold as Covid forces post office closure
Covid has claimed another small business, with a suburban newsagency and post office closing for a week after it was a close contact site for a positive case. LIST OF CLOSED BUSINESSES >>
Voucher scheme windfall for tourism industry
A travel voucher scheme aimed at luring mainlanders to Tasmania injected tens of millions of dollars into the state’s economy, the government has revealed.
‘We can’t sit in North Korean-style isolation’
Closing the state’s borders in the face of rising Covid cases would be “an extraordinary breach of faith” with vaccinated Tasmanians, a leading economist says, supporting calls for financial help for those forced to isolate.
Child being treated for Covid in RHH
More than half the record 2223 new cases of Covid-19 came from self-reported rapid antigen tests as authorities confirm a child at the Royal Hobart Hospital is being treated for the virus. LATEST >>
Customer’s abuse was ‘like a kid spitting his dummy’
One of the state’s most popular restaurants has hit out at a Victorian customer who sent the business a barrage of abusive messages after being informed of its temporary closure.
CSIRO cancels Antarctic trip after Covid case
The CSIRO has cancelled its upcoming research voyage to Antarctica after an expeditioner tested positive to Covid, forcing other travellers into isolation.
Call for home testing for at-risk patients
A woman whose husband is undergoing chemotherapy for brain cancer wants people who are immunocompromised to have priority for Covid vaccines and tests.
‘We are going to see a significant uplift in cases’
Covid cases won’t peak in Tasmania for “a number of weeks”, the Premier says, as the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the state skyrockets with almost 1500 new cases detected. LATEST DETAILS >>
Claim driver aimed car at Covid site traffic controller
Traffic controllers have called for calm at Covid-19 testing sites after an angry motorist allegedly drove at a traffic controller in an “absolutely terrifying” incident.
Scramble: Tasmanians continue rush on RAT kits
Tasmanians have continued to scramble to get their hands on rapid antigen tests across the state after a big change in testing rules.
Gutwein reveals major changes to Covid testing regime
Rapid antigen tests will soon become the primary tool to detect cases of Covid, as nurses warn they are at breaking point as the health service battles staff shortages. LATEST DETAILS >>
Don’t tell me to ‘stay calm’: tourism operator
A Tasmanian tourism operator said she is sick of being told to “stay calm” while her business faces a barrage of cancellations due to the surge in positive Covid cases.
‘Chaos’: Labor attacks government’s Covid response
The Liberal Party “needs some advice” on handling the state’s Covid outbreak, Labor says, as it releases is own plan to guide Tasmania through the pandemic.
‘I get a text saying I’m negative, then a message saying I have Covid’
A man who initially received the all-clear from a Covid test before emergency surgery for appendicitis was turned around from the operating theatre after some “oddities” in his swab.
Testing mayhem: Clinic closes before it even opens
The state’s newest drive-through Covid clinic, which was meant to operate from 10am-4pm, has taken “closing early” to the next level, shutting before it had even opened. DETAILS >>
90 in quarantine after cruise ship Covid cases
Tasmanian Health authorities have put around 90 cruise ship passengers and crew into quarantine after two on board tested positive for Covid-19.
‘Thousands of appointments’: Booster figures revealed
Nearly a quarter of eligible Tasmanians have received their booster vaccine, as the state’s operations commander predicts strong demand. HOW + WHERE TO BOOK >>
LIST: More hospo venues close, locals urged to back businesses
TripAdvisor’s top restaurant in Hobart has shut temporarily as a string of businesses grapple with the coronavirus. SEE LIST OF VENUES + REASONS FOR CLOSING >>
Local airline joins list of businesses hit by staff Covid woes
A Tasmanian airline was looking forward to a busy peak tourism season but now pilots are grounded due to Covid-19 exposure and tourist flights are being cancelled.
Tassie health workers backflip on Covid jabs after sack threat
Some Tasmanian health workers who initially refused to be vaccinated against Covid-19 have had a change of heart after being sent termination letters. LATEST >>
LOCKED OUT: Tassie pubs, clubs, council off limits to unvaccinated
The list of places banning unvaccinated Tasmanians from December 15 continues to grow, with the town hall, dump and aquatic centre off limits as well as pubs, clubs and music venues. FULL LIST >>
How travelling through Tassie’s airports is about to change
New scanning stations, a special gate and two lines depending on where you’re flying from … here’s everything you need to know about coming to Tasmania. EXPLAINED >>
Strain revealed for Tassie’s latest Covid case
The Premier has urged Tasmanians to “turn up” and get vaccinated as the Omicron strain of Covid reaches Australia, as the variant of the state’s latest Covid case is revealed. LATEST >>
Current rules guarding against Omicron, says Gutwein
All international travellers intending to travel to Tasmania must undergo two weeks quarantine in the mainland state of their arrival with testing before they can enter Tasmania. LATEST >>
Will the church make the vaccine mandatory for priests?
The Pope has called Covid vaccinations “an act of love”, but the state’s religious leaders are yet to decide whether Covid-19 jabs should be made mandatory for all clergy. LATEST >>
‘You can do better than pander to the anti-vax minority’
Courting extremist anti-vaxxers is hardly the way to get re-elected when 85 per cent of Tasmanians have already voted by rolling up their sleeves, according to Charles Wooley.
Thousands of Tasmanians hit by vax certificate glitch
If you were unable to access your up-to-date digital immunisation record for weeks, you were not alone — and now the government has questions to answer. THE FALLOUT >>
Teens swarm clinics for Covid jabs
Thousands of young Tasmanians have streamed through vaccination clinics to receive their Covid jabs – and go in the draw to score some new tech. LATEST DETAILS >>
Anti-vaxxers rally against ‘medical apartheid’
Australia is now “a police state” where “brain washing and thuggery is the order of the day”, a rally in Hobart has been told. SEE THE VIDEO >>
Premier back tracks on airport Covid ‘spot checks’
Every person coming through a Tasmanian airport will need to show they are fully vaccinated or that they have passed a Covid pre-travel test, the Premier says.
Quarantine escapee’s Covid-19 test result returned
A Queensland man will face court after allegedly escaping hotel quarantine in Tasmania via a third-storey balcony, spending hours in the community. LATEST >>
‘Will not be tolerated’: Freedom Day protests planned for Hobart
Tasmania Police have issued a warning to those planning on joining a ‘mass day of action’ against mandatory Covid-19 vaccines in Hobart this weekend. LATEST >>
How to get your Covid vaccination certificate on your phone
With Tasmanians soon having to show proof of being fully vaccinated against Covid to cross borders or attend some events, the Check in Tas app can now show your vax status. Here’s how to get the ‘green tick’ ✔️ >>
Gutwein to call shots over cruise ship visits
The resumption of cruise ship visits to the state will be decided by the state government said Peter Gutwein as the federal government pushes for the the industry to restart by Christmas. LATEST + HAVE YOUR SAY >>
Covid fears as volunteer army eyes the border
The imminent reopening of the state’s borders has left many older Tasmanians anxious and even “scared”, but it won’t stop them getting out and helping others in need.
‘People think they’re bulletproof’: Mayor’s concerns for low-vaxxed LGA
The mayor of an LGA with one of the lowest vaccination rates in Tasmania has expressed his concerns ahead of next month’s planned border reopening.
How Tassie businesses can apply for new support grants
Businesses struggling to recover from the impact of Covid-19 will be able to apply for their share in $30m of new state government grants. HOW TO APPLY >>
REVEALED: Tassie’s plan to deal with outbreak after borders open
More details have been revealed about how the ambulance service will cope a potential Covid-19 outbreak after Tasmanian borders open, as the state’s vaccination blitz continues. FULL STORY >>
Who is leading the race to be vaccinated?
Five Tassie council areas have emerged as the state’s most vaccinated in the latest update to federal vaccine statistics. SEE OUR VAX RATES BY SUBURB >>
Travel agents ready for post-Covid take-off
The opening of Australian state and territory borders will provide a welcome boost to travel agents, but a snap back to pre-Covid normalcy is not expected for some time.
‘TURN UP’: Tassie hits major Covid-19 vaccination milestone
Tasmania’s vaccination rates are approaching targets as it’s announced travellers coming from low-risk states will not need to take a Covid test 72 hours before entering the state. LATEST HERE >>
Anti-vax health care workers aim for High Court
Tasmanian health care workers challenging a vaccine mandate have promised to take their case to the High Court if necessary, as they continue their injunction fight. LATEST >>
Covid booster shots available early November, more mandatory vaccines
Covid booster shots will be available for Tasmanians as soon as next week with the state government mandating the vaccine for workers in another sector. LATEST COVID NEWS >>
Pop-up vaccination clinics coming to Tassie Bunnings stores
Tasmanians will be able to grab a snag along with their jab at numerous pop-up vaccination clinics opening at Bunnings warehouse stores this weekend. DETAILS >>
Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/news/coronavirus/page/3