Tasmania borders on track to reopen on July 24

Weekly reviews of Victoria’s coronavirus outbreak will be undertaken as a part of Tasmania’s goal to open up borders by late July. Find out the latest >>

TASMANIA’S borders are still on track to open next month despite Victoria putting 10 coronavirus hot spots into lockdown.

Premier Peter Gutwein is standing firm on his decision to reopen on July 24 — but will review the situation weekly.

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

It comes as Victoria recorded another 64 cases on Tuesday, and announced stay-at-home orders for people across 10 postcodes.

The worsening outbreak in Melbourne’s suburbs has prompted South Australia to abandon its plans to reopen to Victoria on July 20, although the state will remain open to Tasmanians.

Queensland has also declared it will reopen to the rest of Australia — except Victoria — on July 10, and will force any recent visitors to the southern state to quarantine for 14 days.

“To mitigate the risk of a second wave, it is important we have a safe and responsible pathway forward, and confidence in other states which may present a risk to Tasmania,” Mr Gutwein said.

“As I have said, over the next four weeks we will put in place a plan to support a safe relaxation of our borders.

“It will include reviewing the circumstances of other states and territories on a weekly basis, and we will have a formal review of Victoria’s situation in around two weeks.

“If the public health advice at that time, or in the immediate lead-up to July 24, is that it is not safe to open, we will not open.”

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Melbourne’s COVID-19 hot spots will be put into lockdown until July 29, and police will enforce the stay-at-home order with on-the-spot fines.

South Australian Premier Steven Marshall announced his decision to keep borders to Victoria shut on Tuesday, saying the state’s medical panel was “increasingly concerned” about the outbreak.