Premier Peter Gutwein bans gatherings of 10 or more people, with police to enforce the limits

No Tasmanian can hold any event with more than 10 people under a strict new edict handed down by Premier Peter Gutwein – and police will be enforcing the ban. REPLAY HIS ADDRESS

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein during a coronavirus press conference in Hobart. Picture Chris Kidd

GATHERINGS of more than 10 people have been banned and travellers arriving in the state face a mandatory 14-day quarantine in government-run facilities, under a new edict.

Premier Peter Gutwein on Friday afternoon announced the measures in a bid to protect the community against the spread of coronavirus.

The State Government will set up three isolation centres in hotels in the state’s North, North-West and South.

“Anybody who has returned to Australia from overseas by either air or sea from the 14th of March will be instructed to isolate in one of the facilities here in Tasmania,” he said.

“That will apply to Tasmanians who perhaps have been on a cruise ship but are currently travelling in NSW or Victoria. When they arrive in Tasmania they will be placed into a 14-day isolation period.”

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Those being quarantined will be supervised by police, biosecurity officers and Australian Defence Force personnel.

Travellers who have already spent two weeks in isolation interstate will be required to spend a second fortnight in quarantine in Tasmania.

Mr Gutwein said he was also considering quarantining non-essential travellers in government facilities.

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein press conference in the afternoon of 27th March 2020

Posted by The Mercury Newspaper on Thursday, 26 March 2020

Mr Gutwein said police would be enforcing the ban on gatherings.

“From six o’clock tonight, we will be putting in place an order that will mean that no more than 10 people are able to congregate in either a public or private space,” he said.

“If they congregate in groups of more than 10, on public or private land, they will be committing an offence,” he said.

“The consequence is that a fine of up to $16,800 will be applied.

“It is important that Tasmanians do the right thing. The best place for you is at home.

“I know this is tough and people won’t like it. I don’t want to do it, but I want to keep people safe.

“If you’re not going to work, if you’re not going to school, if you’re not going to get essential supplies, stay at home.”