Premier Peter Gutwein promises to turn state into ‘Fortress Tasmania

Premier Peter Gutwein says using Tasmania’s island status to turn it into a fortress is the best way to combat the dreaded coronavirus, as the state prepares to implement strict new measures to stop its spread.

PREMIER Peter Gutwein has promised to turn the state into “Fortress Tasmania”, announcing arrivals will be escorted to hotels and locked down for 14 days under strict new measures to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

From midnight on Sunday, all non-essential travellers entering the state, including Tasmanians returning home, will be forced into quarantine at State Government-run isolation centres overseen by police and Australian Defence Force personnel.

OLYMPIC POSTPONEMENT OPENS DOOR FOR SUPERCARS IN TASMANIA

The toughest border measures in the country are over and above Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s nationwide move to isolate travellers from overseas in Government-operated facilities for two weeks in the city they fly into.

Under Mr Gutwein’s tough new rules for Tasmania, the supervised quarantine is mandatory for those entering the island state, regardless of whether or not they have been overseas.

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein. Picture CHRIS KIDD

“I make no apologies for that,’’ he said. “We need to ensure that we protect Tasmanian lives.

“Fortress Tasmania is what we want.”

Arrivals into the state’s air and sea ports will be taken by bus to three separate hotels used as makeshift quarantine centres, one each in the South, North and North-West of the state.

Further facilities will be prepared for isolation purposes if demand dictates it.

The restriction will not apply to those who are considered essential travellers, including groups like health care and emergency workers.

Tasmania’s new restriction in addition to Mr Morrison’s edict means non-essential travellers bound for Tasmania from overseas will spend a total of 28 days in quarantine.

Mr Gutwein said using Tasmania’s island status to turn it into a fortress was the best way to combat the dreaded virus.

“We have an advantage but we need people to work with us,’’ he said.

“We can only beat this virus if everyone plays their part.

“Stay home unless you absolutely need to go out. If you’re not going to work, if you’re not taking your children to school, if you’re not out buying supplies, stay home.”

The latest move came after the Premier banned gatherings of 10 or more people at the state’s beaches, parks and in other public and private settings.

Police are patrolling as part of the new measures and those caught flouting the rules can face fines of up to $16,800.

Opposition Leader Rebecca White said with the infection of coronavirus in a health worker in Tasmania’s North-West, the Government needed to go further and implement a full lockdown.

Rebecca White. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

“We need to move quickly, not just to close schools as the Premier has already announced, but to close non-essential services so that Tasmanians can go home, look after their health and make sure that we limit the spread of this virus,’’ she said.