Survey reveals broad support for border reopening

More and more Tasmanians are jumping on the border reopening bandwagon, but there is still a core group that think the state should remain closed. LATEST FIGURES >>

• Musicians and the general public eager for the return of live music performances
• The EMRS polling of Tasmanians’ views on coronavirus restrictions was commissioned by Federal Group

TASMANIANS generally support the decision to open the state’s borders, according to the latest research from EMRS.

Quarantine-free travel between Tasmania most states resumed this week, with NSW expected to follow on November 6 and hopes for travel to Victoria to be allowed from December 1.

The polling, commissioned by Federal Group, found that the total number of people saying that borders should “definitely” or “maybe” reopen rising from 55 per cent in August to 66 per cent in September while the number saying “no” fell from 43 per cent to 32 per cent.

Federal Group executive general manager Daniel Hanna. Picture: PATRICK GEE

Federal Group Executive General Manager Dr Daniel Hanna said the company has been tracking the impacts of COVID-19 on community and consumer behaviour since May.

“We’ve been doing this so we could make better decisions for our businesses and our staff, and have consistently shared the findings with our industry peers, the broader business sector and the community,” Dr Hanna said.

“Over five and half months EMRS has surveyed more than 3500 Tasmanians.

“During this time, concern about the impact COVID is having on local businesses, jobs and the economy has been paramount. In fact, while Tasmanians have had some concerns about personal impacts, the results show they have been far more concerned about the wider economic impacts.”

The surveys revealed 26 per cent of respondents had had a COVID test by September, up from 13 per cent in June.

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