Tasmania scraps proof of vaccination in a range of settings

The Tasmanian Government has chosen to soon scrap vaccination requirements for a broad range of settings - here’s the changes will look like >>

THE WINDING back of vaccination rules to enter Tasmania is a further sign confidence is returning to the community, the tourism industry says.

Travellers hoping to enter Tasmania this weekend will no longer be required to prove their vaccination status, among changes announced on Wednesday.

“Presenting vaccination status will no longer be required at pubs, clubs and other settings,” Premier Peter Gutwein said.

“This is another important step in our transition to living with Covid-19.”

Mr Gutwein said the new rules would come into effect from 12:01am Saturday.

“This change recognises Tasmania’s high vaccination rate, the high vaccination rate across other jurisdictions and that maintaining arrival conditions for unvaccinated travellers is disproportionate to the risk,” he said.

Tasmanian Industry Council Tasmania (TICT) CEO Luke Martin said the state could be seeing the “crest of the hill” out of the pandemic.

TICT CEO Luke Martin.

He hoped visitation would continue climbing into winter for tourism providers.

“We’re on a positive pathway forward both in easing of the restrictions and the economy, and our community’s starting to adjust to get back to normal,” Mr Martin said.

“It’s really encouraging and hopefully what it does from a local perspective is it starts to get some confidence for the community to plan ahead.”

But some requirements will remain in place, such as check-ins still required for pub, clubs and casinos and masks still required to be worn indoors.

“Vaccination remains mandatory for certain workplace settings where this is a condition of employment,” Mr Gutwein said.

Premier Peter Gutwein. Announcement. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

As border restrictions are eased, Tasmania’s hard line on cruise ships will remain in place, with large cruise ships with more than 99 passengers still unable to dock in Hobart.

“It’ll be assessed in the coming months as we lead up to the spring cruise ship seasons,” the Premier said.

New rules from Saturday will also see household contacts quarantine for seven days from the date of the first case in the household, regardless of whether or not further cases are diagnosed in the household during that time.

“When the person isolating leaves quarantine, the household contact may also leave,” he said

It’s also been revealed 41 schools are dealing with Covid outbreaks, as the state recorded 842 new Covid cases on Tuesday.

Concerns remain that not enough children in the state’s North-West have had their first dose, with more than 17000 kids unvaccinated.

“The North West is lagging slightly behind with 50.6 per cent of children in this age group having had a first dose compared to 60.7 per cent in the North and 68.3 per cent in the South,” State Health Commander Kathrine Morgan Wicks said.

“With cases now in school I encourage all parents to bring their children forward at the earliest opportunity.”

Also on Wednesday, Ms Morgan Wicks corrected incorrect information in relation to a Covid related death after speaking to a family member of the man.

She said the man in his 60s passed away after testing positive to coronavirus and developing pneumonia.

Ms Morgan Wicks said the man died in his home with close family members and a registered nurse supporting him.

He had not been in palliative care, as initial incorrect statements suggested.

Government corrects recent Covid death

State Health Commander Kathrine Morgan Wicks corrected incorrect information provided in relation to a covid related death after speaking to a family member of the man.

“The person deceased is a male in his 60s, he tested positive to Covid, subsequently develop pneumonia and died from covid,” Ms Morgan-Wicks said.

Kathrine Morgan-Wicks secretary department of health. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“He passed away in his own home and with the support of his close family member who is a registered nurse.

“The previous release stated he was a palliating patient, this was incorrect.

“The deceased received palliative care in accordance with his care plan after contracting Covid.

“His death has been counted as a death due to covid and is listed as death 24.”

North West schools lagging behind in vaccination

There are concerns not enough children have had their first dose, with more than 17000 kids unvaccinated.

“The North West is lagging slightly behind with 50.6 per cent of children in this age group having had a first dose compared to 60.7 per cent in the north and 68.3 per cent in the south,” Ms Morgan Wicks said.

“With cases now in school I encourage all parents to bring their children forward at the earliest opportunity.”

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