Premier announces strict new border measures

UPDATED: Premier Peter Gutwein has announced strict new border measures to control the spread of coronavirus.

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein, Director of Public Health Dr Mark Veitch and Health Minister Sarah Courtney during a press conference in Hobart. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

TASMANIA has introduced the strongest border measures in the country as political action ramps up to combat the deadly coronavirus.

Premier Peter Gutwein on Thursday ruled all non-essential travellers entering the state, including those who have come from mainland Australia, will be forced into quarantine for 14 days.

It will not matter whether or not travellers are showing symptoms, as authorities take a hard-line approach to protecting Tasmanians from the dreaded virus.

The Premier also declared a state of emergency, meaning the Government can use more wide-ranging powers under the Emergency Management Act.

Mr Gutwein said he made no apologies for the tough measures and said the Government would wield the power of significant fines and even jail time for those who failed to comply.

“There can be no excuse for not self-quarantining, for not abiding by the laws,” he said.

“Should somebody break the law, we will ensure that the full weight available to us under the laws, which would be up to a $16,800 fine, or up to six months in prison, that those penalties are brought to bear.”

RESTAURANTS EVOLVE AS CRISIS UNFOLDS

Essential travellers not subject to the exclusion include groups of people such as health care and emergency workers, flight and ship crew, and paramedics.

Meanwhile, the State Government has clarified fly-in, fly-out workers who are Tasmanian residents and returning from interstate will have to isolate only for the period they are home.

The move was backed by parliamentarians from the Opposition parties and the House of Assembly’s independent member, who united in a show of support.

Labor, the Greens and Clark MP Madeleine Ogilvie had all called for stronger border measures in recent days.

Opposition Leader Rebecca White congratulated Mr Gutwein on his “strong and decisive action”, saying the measures would “save lives”.

“That might seem like an extreme thing to say, but when you look to other countries we can see how devastating the impacts of COVID-19 can be, and why we need to act so quickly now to provide the best protection we can for our entire community,” she said.

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said the measures had the full support of the party.

“This is a difficult decision that has been made, but of course, it is essential. This is a decision that will save people’s lives,” she said.

Ms O’Connor said it was a time for people, regardless of their political leaning, to stick together to limit the spread of coronavirus.

Meanwhile, the co-author of an open letter this week calling for tighter border controls, Darvin Hansen, said he was grateful for the State Government’s decisive action.

“My dad is in the at-risk category and I really wanted to do all I could to help protect him, so if we can reduce the amount of the virus coming into the state, we have a better chance of controlling it,” he said.

“This means we have a chance of being less affected than mainland Australia in coming out stronger the other side.”

ASK THE EXPERT: YOUR COVID-19 HEALTH QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin said the tourism industry understood the Government’s decision to protect the Tasmanian community.

“Our focus is entirely on supporting our tourism operators and workforce work through this most difficult of circumstances,” he said.

Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Michael Bailey said the decision was “tough but necessary”.

“The TCCI unreservedly supports this bold decision made by Premier Gutwein and his Cabinet,” he said. “They are ahead of the curve.”

In a joint statement, Federal Labor MPs and senators said state and federal governments also needed to make bold decisions to protect the state’s economy in the wake of COVID-19.

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Liberal Senator Eric Abetz is one of dozens of federal parliamentarians who will remain home next week, but he said Tasmanian MPs that did attend would be exempt from self-isolation requirements.

“They will need to go to get the stimulus package passed,” he said.

As part of Mr Gutwein’s state of emergency declaration, Police Commissioner Darren Hine will assume new responsibilities and will work with Director of Public Health Mark Veitch.

“What this will mean is that Darren will be able to take resources from different departments as and where he needs them,” Mr Gutwein said.

“He’ll be able to exercise the powers under the Emergency Management Act should he need to use those powers.”