‘Kick in the guts’: Builders slam Tassie’s Covid lockdown plan

The state’s peak building body has slammed the Premier’s contingency plans for a ‘circuit breaker’ lockdown claiming it would cause havoc on Tasmania’s construction industry >>

THE state’s peak building body has described the state government’s Covid lockdown plan as “a kick in the guts”.

Premier Peter Gutwein today revealed Tasmania would react to any new Covid outbreak with a short, sharp lockdown.

But the plan removes construction and civil construction from the list of essential industries.

Master Builders Tasmania Executive Director, Matthew Pollock said the construction industry had worked hard to put the best systems in place to mitigate the risk of Covid on worksites.

“These systems have proven effective and come at significant cost. To be told that despite this success that sites will be shut is a kick in the guts,” he said.

“It is hard to understand why construction work done outdoors is now deemed non-essential but removalists, warehousing, factory operations, forestry and mining are essential services.

“It was extremely disappointing to see construction not included as an essential industry under the governments snap lockdown plan.

Executive director for Master Builders, Tasmania, Matthew Pollock as they are releasing their major policy submission to State Government to kick start the economy. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“We have seen similar approaches taken in other states that have lead to ten of thousands of workers stood down without pay.

Mr Pollock said the approach — if put into action — would cost jobs.

“A three to five days snap lockdown can put a project back weeks.

“Given the current stress on supply chains, missing a concrete pour now could effectively close a site for weeks before it can be rescheduled.

“It is disappointing that despite working with various government agencies for weeks that there was no consultation on this plan before its release, nor have any of the recommendations put to various agencies been reflected in the plan as it has been published today.”

The Property Council’s Tasmania executive director Rebecca Ellston said she was also concerned about the lack of consultation.

Property Council Tasmania Executive Director Rebecca Ellston. Picture Eddie Safarik

“It’s surprising that the industry has not been consulted on this, particularly in a state where we face an ongoing crisis of affordable housing and major infrastructure delays,” she said.

“Shutting down construction costs 37 jobs for every $1m deferred, to not work with us as an industry to map out a pathway forward is short sighted at best — a partnership approach is needed to avoid further lockdown pain.

“The industry is the engine room of our economy and we must work collectively to ensure we are able find a way out of a lockdown as swiftly and as safely as possible, without putting thousands of jobs at risk.” Ms Ellston said.

The Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry — which has been calling for the government to release a plan.

“Let’s hope that we never need to activate this plan,” TCCI CEO Michael Bailey

“However, businesses now have the clarity and certainty they need to plan for the future with confidence.

Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Michael Bailey addresses the media. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“We know that this will be confronting for the community, but this is a clear demonstration of leadership from the Premier and the Government.

“We will now go through the detail of the plan, consult our members and provide any feedback to Government.

“The TCCI is here to support Tasmanian businesses prepare their own contingency plans and ensure we can all work together as a community in the best interests of the State and each other.”

Premier Peter Gutwein said going hard to contain the virus and getting out of lockdown quickly was key to saving lives and jobs.

“I make no apologies for heeding the significant lessons learnt from the experiences of other states and territories and would hope that any industry affected could see the sense in a very short lockdown to limit the spread of this highly infectious and deadly virus rather than allowing it to potentially shut us down for months,’’ he said.

“The Tasmanian Government’s lockdown plan for construction includes planning for a range of possible scenarios, depending on the severity of the outbreak situation and risk to Tasmanians.

“The highest risk scenario which is outlined is for a short, sharp lockdown of 3-5 days, and would see construction activities only undertaken in exceptional circumstances.

“Other scenarios enabling more activity have been workshopped and our response will be determined by the circumstances we face and the advice of public health.”

PLANS: Tasmania’s ‘circuit breaker’ lockdown

THE state government has revealed its plans for a “circuit breaker” lockdown in the case of Covid-19 being detected in the community.

Premier Peter Gutwein outlined the plans during a press conference on Friday morning.

The restrictions draw on the lockdown experiences of other jurisdictions and Tasmania’s lockdown in 2020, and have been updated given increased concern over the Delta variant of the virus.

The lockdown scenario would see Tasmanians over the age of 12 required to wear face masks outside of the home and people would need to stay home except for six essential reasons.

• Shopping for household or health supplies within 5km from home;
• Attending medical or health care appointments including Covid-19 testing or vaccinations;
• If you are an essential worker;
• Going to school, if the child of an essential worker
• Exercising once per day outdoors, within 5km of home for up to two hours;
• Caring for a vulnerable person or other compassionate reasons

Indoor and outdoor gatherings would not be allowed, and no more than 10 guests would be allowed at funerals.

Weddings would also be banned, unless for compassionate reasons, and even then, only five people could be involved, the couple, two witnesses and a celebrant.

Only live streaming of ceremonies and religious gatherings would be allowed.

Visitors to homes would also not be allowed, unless supporting a vulnerable person, visiting as part of a significant relationship, or visiting as part of a visitor bubble with someone who lives alone.

Premier Peter Gutwein.

Speaking this morning, Mr Gutwein reiterated that Tasmania was not in lockdown but the government wanted to prepare residents for a lockdown where we would “go in hard and get out as quickly as we can”.

“Whilst we have strong border and quarantine measures should we experience a lockdown, it’s important we’re prepared,” he said.

“Our intention is to go as hard as we can, be in lockdown for three to five days and come out quickly.”

Mr Gutwein said he was asking Tasmanians to follow the directives outlined in the plan should the state go into lockdown suddenly.

“There’s no need to panic buy, supermarkets will be open,” he said.

“Should our contract tracing team reach out for information, work with them.

“Comply with the requirement, wearing masks, social distancing.

“The vaccine provides protection but it won’t provde the ultimate silver bullet that we’re looking for.”

Mr Gutwein said if we do see a case of Delta in the community, residents need to be aware the virus moves with people so a quick, hard lockdown would reduce the spread.

Director of Public Health Mark Veitch said the plan would help Tasmanians get on top of Delta should it be detected in the state.

“Delta is different and we will really only get one chance at the early stage to contain it,” Mr Veitch said.

“Tasmanians can look at this plan and get an idea of what’s needed.”

Mr Veitch said the plan included limitations on gatherings, restrictions on visitors, the approach to schools and aged care centres, along with which businesses would be able to be open.

“It’s important that businesses listed as being opened has a well-defined plan,” Mr Veitch said.

“There’s going to be discussions with a number of sectors.

“Out of that will come good planning with how activities will continue in the case of a lock down.”

Mr Veitch said NSW had been seeing 600 cases a day.

“New South Wales remains listed high risk level 1 and we’re seeing very few travellers from New South Wales as a result.”

Depending on cases, Tasmania could reopen to the North Territory.

“It’s going to be my intention to recommend we remove the high risk level for people from the North Territory from Sunday.

From August 30, those between the ages of 16-29 will be eligible for the Pfizer vaccines.

“Don’t wait, get your booking for a vaccination now,” Secretary for the Department of Public Health Kathrine Morgan-Wicks said.

“Vaccination is the best way for Tasmanians to safeguard themselves.”

Vaccinations will soon roll out in colleges, with Elizabeth, Claremont and Hellyer Colleges first on the list.

“There is no need for parents or students to make a booking.” Ms Morgan-Wicks said.

“For young people under 18 our preference is the decisions is reached with their parent of guardian,”

Ms Morgan-Wicks said the department was also working with Independent and catholic schools.

Meanwhile the Department has been working with the Migrant Resource Centre to help those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds get vaccinated.