COVID mercy flight date revealed as plane-load of passengers from India set to land in Hobart

Tasmania’s international airport capabilities will soon be put to the test with an inbound flight from India, as part of a national effort to repatriate Aussies stuck overseas. DETAILS >>

• Repatriation flights for stranded Aussies to Tasmania on hold amid South Australia COVID-19 outbreak
• Hobart International Airport to take in 450 stranded Aussies

MERCY flights carrying Australians returning from overseas to Hobart could begin as soon as December 6, a Parliamentary Committee has heard.

The first flight, carrying around 150 returnees from India, was expected to arrive in Hobart in late November.

But Premier Peter Gutwein announced the plan would be delayed because he was not satisfied with the arrangements being offered by the federal government.

The first batch of returnees were to be accommodated at the Best Western Hotel and guarded by police and defence force personnel.

Mr Gutwein has told budget estimates committee hearings that work was being done to conclude an agreement with the Commonwealth government.

Premier Peter Gutwein addresses the media during the Tasmanian Government COVID-19 update. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Details are still being resolved including the testing regime for staff, ensuring sufficient support was available from Tasmania Police and from the Australian Defence Force.

“At this stage early December, the 6th of December is the date that is being proposed,” he said.

“I’d just like to make the point, in terms of South Australia we need to be certain that we have been able to dot every ‘i’ and cross every ‘t’ and we don’t take anyone until that is the case.”

“We will proceed only when our public health officials are confident we have a robust system in place.”

He said that there was a possibility some travellers might bring the virus with them.

“My understanding is that the level of infection that is carried by returning travellers has reduced from where it was from a few months ago,” Mr Gutwein said.

And he confirmed private security would play a role.

“There will be a limited private security presence should we go ahead I am advised.”

NOVEMBER 16:

PLANS to bring hundreds of people into Hobart from overseas on repatriation flights have been put on hold for now — and could be cancelled altogether

The first flight, carrying around 150 returnees from India, was expected to arrive in Hobart this Sunday.

They were to be accommodated at the Best Western Hotel and guarded by police and defence force personnel.

But Premier Peter Gutwein announced the plan would be delayed because he was not satisfied with the arrangements being offered by the federal government.

Premier Peter Gutwein and Deputy Commissioner Scott Tilyard during the coronavirus government update. at Hobart. Picture Chris Kidd

“Regarding the mercy flights, we haven’t as yet been able to land at a position with the Commonwealth in terms of the national partnership agreement, and the supports that we’re looking for and so that is being a deferred,” he said.

“We won’t have a flight arriving here on 22nd of November, the earliest schedule will be in or around the first week of December, but we will continue to work through that process with the Commonwealth.

“We will not take any action that would compromise Tasmania’s health.

“We will either get that right or we won’t be moving forward.”

Mr Gutwein said he was not yet satisfied the flights could proceed.

“Firstly, we haven’t as yet been able to reach agreement on the National Partnership agreement,” he said.

“Secondly, I think we should be informed by the current circumstance in South Australia as well.”

Mr Gutwein said the sticking points in the agreement was the federal government’s provision of resources to assist wit the management of the arrivals.

“They cover the range of resources that would cover both health and quarantine at these facilities.

“I just want to be satisfied that we have every mitigation strategy in place.

“So we’ll continue to work through it.”

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds has written to Mr Gutwein asking for a briefing on the governments plans for quarantine in the city.

Hobart Lord Mayor, Anna Reynolds. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Labor’s Michelle O’Byrne also questioned the wisdom of the repatriation flights said that given the situation in South Australia, the government needed to be very clear about its plans for dealing with future outbreaks of COVID-19.

“Our hospitals right now cannot cope with the people coming through the door today,” she said.

“How on earth are we going to cope with any additional outbreak right now?”

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