Tasmania hits 90% first dose Covid-19 vaccinations

Tasmania’s vaccination rates are approaching targets as it’s announced travellers coming from low-risk states will not need to take a Covid test 72 hours before entering the state. LATEST HERE >>

THE state government has dropped the requirement for travellers from low risk states to undergo Covid testing prior to travel when borders reopen on December 15.

Premier Peter Gutwein said travellers from the high risk-jurisdictions of New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory would be still needed to produce evidence of a negative test conducted in the 72 hours prior to travel.

Business groups called for the on Thursday called for the testing requirement to be dropped altogether to make travel easier.

Mr Gutwein on Friday also announced that more public servants would be required to provide proof of their vaccination status — and could face sanctions for refusing their jabs.

He urged the 45,000 Tasmanians aged over 16 who remain unvaccinated to make a booking urgently.

“On the 15th of December, there will be no turning back. That is the date that we’re working towards. That is the day that we will reopen on,” he said.

“I would implore Tasmanians to ensure that they get vaccinated. We got plenty of vaccines, we’ve got plenty of spots, if you’re thinking about it, please do it.

“This way to protect our community. It’s the best way to protect yourself.”

Mr Gutwein said a review was underway into which public sector employees should be covered by mandatory vaccination requests from their employing agencies.

“I’d expect that, for example, roles such as policing, frontline fire and emergency services, teachers, and for example, if I use my own Department of Premier and Cabinet, which obviously has a forward public-interfacing agency Service Tasmania, worker in those areas potentially be considered as high risk occupation groups.

“However, we will work through for risk assessment process.”

Final details would be based on risk assessment which were still underway, he said.

Deputy Secretary of Health Dale Webster said 145 health staff had still not provided evidence of their vaccination status in order to comply with a public health order which came into effect on October 31.

Dale Webster Commander Vaccination Emergency Operations Centre. COVID-19 vaccination press conference at the Executive Building Hobart. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

They included a slowly dwindling number of permanent staff — 81 at last count — all of whom have been stood down and who would face dismissal within the coming weeks.

The private health system was at or near 100 per cent vaccination, he said.

Mr Webster said the final work was also being done to allow people to upload their vaccination certificates into their Check-In Tas apps.

Mr Gutwein said people would not be required to provide they were vaccinated to enter businesses, as is in the case in other states.

“Having the stronger border arrangements in place in terms of including fully-vaccinated travellers state with a vaccination rate of 90 per cent across the state, we do not see the need to implement that same passports for entry to local businesses or to events,” he said.

Director of Public Health Dr Mark Veitch addressed a question from the Mercury if the government should consider showing compassion to families in end-of-life cases, given we’re a month away from opening our borders.

“The balance between compassion and public safety has been taxing for people working in that area for many months and we have always sought to strike a balance,” Dr Veitch said.

He said those tough conversations and decisions included the Public Health sector workers providing advice to the State Controller and the State Controller making those decisions.

“There has been circumstances in recent weeks where some parts of Australia have had some of the highest community transmission rates in the world so we’ve had to take a cautious approach for the entry of those areas into Tasmania and sadly will see the denial of the entry from those areas,” Dr Veitch said.