Tasmania’s tough border restrictions come into place from midnight

From midnight, all travellers into the state will undergo 14-days of self-isolation monitored by security guards, police, and the Australian Defence Force.

FROM midnight Sunday, Australia’s toughest border security measures will come into place.

All non-essential travellers into the state by air or port, including Tasmanians, will now go into one of the state’s mandatory isolation centres.

Premier Peter Gutwein made no apologies for ensuring our island home would be our fortress.

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“We will see the full suite of Australia’s toughest border security controls in place,” Mr Gutwein said.

Initially, one centre will be in operation in the South, North, and North-West. However, a number of hotels are available across the state to be used if needed.

Premier Peter Gutwein. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“There will be security guards that will manage the security arrangements, but the hotels themselves will be operated by Communities Tasmania with appropriate support by Tasmania Police and the Australian Defence Force,” Mr Gutwein said.

“This is not meant to be a cruel punishment. This is just meant to be about keeping our community safe and ensuring that we provide adequate support for those people while they are in self-quarantine.”

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Mr Gutwein said transport to an appropriate kennel would be provided for those travelling on the Spirit with pets.

He said his message was clear: “If you don’t need to come to Tasmania, don’t come.”

On the mainland, similar measures came into effect at 11.59pm on Saturday.

Australians returning home from overseas will now complete 14-days of government-run self-isolation in the state they initially arrive into, whether or not they have a connecting flight to another state.

Those travelling from overseas into Tasmania will need to complete 28-days of self-isolation, with 14-days needed to be completed in the state they arrive into alongside 14-days of self-isolation when arriving back into the state.

Acting Public Health director Scott McKeown said 314 close contacts of coronavirus cases were being monitored across the state, with 257 of those from cruise ships.

About 5000 people were in mandatory self-isolation across the state, with about 1800 tests completed.