The Tasmanian Government continues to foot the hotel quarantine bill for people coming to Tasmania

Premier Peter Gutwein has put Victorian essential worker “traveller exemptions” back on businesses, saying no one should be applying unless it is for extraordinary or lifesaving reasons.

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PEOPLE in mandatory quarantine in Tasmania who refuse to be tested for coronavirus are dealt with on a “case-by-case basis”, the State Government says.

As of this week 3370 arrivals to Tasmania have been placed in mandatory quarantine in a hotel or state-run facility since the policy was enacted in late March.

There are currently 423 people in hotel quarantine.

The policy will remain in place until at least July 24, the date the State Government has flagged for opening the state’s borders.

A Tasmanian Government spokeswoman said people in quarantine were only tested for coronavirus if they developed symptoms.

“Individuals who remain well during their quarantine are safe to be released after day 14. Any person with symptoms in quarantine who declines a test would be managed on a case-by-case basis to ensure protecting the public,” the spokeswoman said.

The Government has also declined to follow other states in making people pay for hotel quarantine.

“This is not something the Tasmanian Government is currently considering,” the spokeswoman said.

A Jetstar flight arrives at Hobart from Melbourne. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

The State Government would not provide a breakdown of the state of origin of people currently in quarantine in Tasmania.

Nor would it say how much had been spent on the program.

Opposition leader Rebecca White said the essential worker exemption from quarantine needed an urgent overhaul.

“Currently, people who have been granted essential worker status can enter the state and move around the community without having to be tested for COVID-19,” Ms White said.

“All of these people are coming here from Victoria, either through Melbourne Airport or on the Spirits of Tasmania.

“This is a serious oversight … It is our understanding that there are workers entering Tasmania under permits that are many weeks old. All permits that have been issued since the start of the Public Health Emergency should be renewed in light of the increased risk in Victoria.”

Premier Peter Gutwein said the Government was taking steps to ensure there were “stringent rules” around any Victorians travelling to the state.

“It is my very strong expectation that no Tasmanian business or organisation would be applying for essential traveller exemptions for Victorian workers, unless it is for extraordinary or potentially lifesaving situations,” Mr Gutwein said.

“While I respect there are those in the community calling for mandatory testing for incoming travellers from Victoria, public health advice remains that pre-arrival testing is of almost no value due to the incubation period of the disease, and the time taken for a test result to be obtained.”