Self-isolation reprieve for fly-in, fly-out workers under tough new border control measures

The Premier’s tough border measures have raised job fears among the state’s fly-in, fly-out workers.

TASMANIA’S “massively underrated” fly-in, fly-out workforce will have to go into quarantine when they return to the state — but not for 14 days.

Professionals such as Liz Thomas were reeling from the news that all people flying into Tasmania for “non-essential” purposes will have to enter quarantine for 14 days each time they land.

But the State Government later clarified the regulations, saying fly-in-fly-out workers need only self-isolate while back home in Tasmania.

The only people exempt from the 14-day quarantine requirement are health care and emergency workers, defence personnel, air and ship crew, specialists and essential freight personnel.

PREMIER ANNOUNCES TOUGH BORDER CONTROL MEASURES

Wayss CEO Elizabeth Thomas.

“The scale of Tasmania’s FIFO workforce is massively underrated,” Mrs Thomas said.

Mrs Thomas, wife of Hobart City councillor Damon Thomas, has a 16-year-old daughter at home.

She is the CEO of Wayss, a first response family violence service based in Dandenong, and her family’s primary breadwinner.

For the past 15 months she has flown to Victoria every Monday and back home on Friday for the weekend.

Mrs Thomas flew home on Wednesday night and had no idea what she was going to do come Monday. “Working from home is not an option for everyone. This will have a huge impact on us as a family.”