Screening measures and police presence increased at Hobart airport amid borders reopening

It was an arrival like no other for passengers aboard the maiden flight into Hobart since the reopening of borders, as a strong police presence enforced COVID-19 compliance. SEE THE DISEMBARKING PROCESS >>

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IT WAS an arrival like no other for passengers aboard the maiden flight into Hobart since the reopening of borders, as a strong police presence enforced COVID-compliance.

As dozens of police officers were seen patrolling the Hobart Airport on Monday morning, Acting Assistant Commissioner Operations Debbie Williams said an increased police presence was rolled out to assist biosecurity and screening measures.

“We’ve got more than our usual contingent at the airport. It’s a new process. Our role is to support biosecurity and assist with the compliance matters as they come through,” she said.

When asked if police would stop friends and family from hugging at the gates, Insp Williams said “Tasmania Police enforce a number of matters in relation to COVID-compliance”.

“So it will be including social distancing,” she said.

Passengers from Brisbane arrive on Virgin Australia flight VA702 at Hobart Airport as Tasmania opened its borders today. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“It really is around education to start with. Police will be observing what is going on at the airport, and giving advice if required.”

Rae Burrows of Biosecurity Tasmania said six biosecurity officers would observe passengers’ QR codes from the G2G and Tas e-Travel programs upon their arrival.

She said officer checks at the Launceston Airport would be “generally the same”.

“The biggest challenges are ensuring we can move people through as quickly as we can,” she said.

“We have far more passengers coming through now and we don’t want to spoil their experience.

“The other big risk is that we don’t lose sight of the fact that we’re primarily here to ensure biosecurity risk doesn’t come into Tasmania.”

Airport chief executive Matt Cocker said it was pleasing to see the airport welcome larger passenger numbers back through the arrival gates.

He said airport staff increased by 50 per cent on Monday in accordance with the reopening of borders to “safe” states.

Premier Peter Gutwein said he was pleased to be welcoming tourists back into the state.

“We’ve done the work. We’re ready. We’re safe and we’re prepared. We can now start to welcome families back from safe low-risk jurisdictions, importantly we’re open for business,” he said.

Premier Peter Gutwein. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“Tasmanians, I think, can be comforted by the fact that we have the necessary processes and procedures in place to ensure that we can deal with a rapid response should COVID bubble up here in the state.

“But importantly, the people that will be coming into the state now, are viewed by Public Health as just as safe as what we are.”

Labor Leader Rebecca White, while welcoming the reopening of borders, said “we are not out of the woods yet”.

“While a large influx of visitors will be a positive thing for the state in many regards, we must remember how deadly COVID-19 can be and remind ourselves to remain alert to the risks posed by the border opening,” she said.

Greens Leader Cassy O’Connor said the state government needed to reinforce Public Health messages to keep Tasmanians safe.

“Tasmanians have become relaxed about social distancing in recent months, but that will have to change as interstate visitors enter the State,” she said.

“We urge the government to invest in a strong public information campaign to help keep Tasmanians safe. Public health messages must be reinforced – where there’s complacency, there’s danger.”