Tasmania border changes: All the rules coming from December 15

New scanning stations, a special gate and two lines depending on where you’re flying from ... here’s everything you need to know about coming to Tasmania. EXPLAINED >>

SCANNING stations are being set up at Tasmanian airports and biosecurity staff mustered to ensure arrivals follow the rules after the state’s borders reopen on December 15.

All travellers will be required to complete a Tas e-Travel pass and when arriving at the state’s airports, will have to scan a valid QR code generated from their pass at one of the stations.

The scanning stations will be set up at Hobart, Launceston and Devonport airports and manned by biosecurity staff, with handheld devices in use at the state’s smaller ports.

>> READ MORE: Tassie pubs, clubs to lock out unvaccinated

MERC: Hobart Airport - changes for Dec 15 borders.

As part of an upgraded version of the Tas e-Travel platform, travellers will be asked to provide proof of vaccination and if necessary, a negative Covid-19 test result.

Premier Peter Gutwein said there would be two queues at Tasmanian airports — one for travellers from low-risk areas, and another for those from high-risk destinations.

Travellers will get either a green screen, meaning their entry is approved, or the screen will flash orange which will mean they are approved but with conditions.

There will be multiple scanning stations at each airport, and the Premier urged patience, especially in the first few days after the border reopening, encouraging people to “just be kind to each other”.

MERC: Hobart Airport - changes for Dec 15 borders.

“It takes a couple of seconds to get the green tick, so we’re hoping it’s a relatively free-moving queue,’’ Mr Gutwein said.

“We hope that it can work reasonably efficiently.”

Mr Gutwein said travellers would need to carry with them proof of vaccination and, if required, evidence of a negative Covid-19 test result.

Travellers on the Spirit of Tasmania will be screened prior to boarding the vessel.

Anyone caught flouting the rules faces an on the spot fine of $1557 and could be summonsed and charged with an offence, with penalties of up to six months’ jail or a $17,000 fine.

Coming to Tasmania

Fully vaccinated travellers aged 12 years and two months and older, travelling from low-risk areas (domestic and overseas) will not need to quarantine on arrival in Tasmania.

Travellers who have spent time in a high-risk area (domestic and overseas) in the 14 days before their arrival in Tasmania will need to have a negative Covid PCR test result conducted within 72 hours before departure to Tasmania.

This applies to all travellers aged five years and older.

The testing requirement will not apply to travellers who have been out of Tasmania for 7 days or less.

Read more here.

60,000 shots in the arm as Covid booster blitz heats up

AFTER battling cancer in 2012 Hayley Whayman was thrilled to receive her Covid-19 booster dose on Wednesday knowing it would give her the extra protection she needed.

Tasmanians have been encouraged to get their 6-12 month booster dose as soon as eligible, with a federal government letter being sent out to local letterboxes with information.

Miss Whayman, of Margate, is among the first in Tasmania to get her booster dose, having had her first vaccination in May.

Hayley Whayman of Margate who had her Covid booster at the vaccination centre in Hobart City by Suphap Ryan registered nurse. Picture Nikki Davis-Jones

“My immune system is not as strong as others so I was quite keen to protect myself and the people around me who I live and work with,” she said.

The state government was hoping to have a 90 per cent double dose vaccination rate by December 1 but the most recent figures indicated that 87.5 per cent of Tasmanians aged 16 and over had received double dose vaccinations, 94 per cent had received single dose vaccinations and 7500 booster doses had been administered.

“I’m pleased that booster vaccinations are now under way,” Minister for Health Jeremy Rockliff said.

“I am advised that there are up to 60,000 boosters due to be delivered in coming months, with 20,000 people becoming eligible in December and a further 26,000 in January.”

Tasmania's Vaccination Status

1. Hobart: First dose: >95% Second dose: 94.9%
2. Kingborough: First dose: >95% Second dose: 94.6%
3. Clarence: First dose: >95% Second dose: 94.1%
4. Glenorchy: First dose: >95% Second dose: 92.5%
5. Tasman: First dose: >95% Second dose: 89.2%
6. West Tamar: First dose: 94.4% Second dose: 87.8%
7. Launceston: First dose: 93.7% Second dose: 86.6%
8. Brighton: First dose: >95% Second dose: 87.5%
9. Sorell: First dose: >95% Second dose: 86.7%
10. Central Coast: First dose: 92.7% Second dose: 84.8%
11. Northern Midlands: First dose: 92.3% Second dose: 84.8%
12. Dorset: First dose: 91.4% Second dose: 85.1%
13. Derwent Valley: First dose: 92.5% Second dose: 83.8%
14. Latrobe: First dose: 91.7% Second dose: 82.8%
15. Meander Valley: First dose: 89.6% Second dose: 82.7%
16. Huon Valley: First dose: 90.0% Second dose: 82.5%
17. Devonport: First dose: 91.8% Second dose: 82.2%
18. Waratah/Wynyard: First dose: 90.0% Second dose: 81.7%
19. Break O’Day: First dose: 92.8% Second dose: 82.9%
20. George Town: First dose: 85.8% Second dose: 80.2%
21. Central Highlands: First dose: 90.4% Second dose: 81.3%
22. Burnie: First dose: 89.8% Second dose: 80.8%
23. Southern Midlands: First dose: 88.4% Second dose: 80.2%
24. Circular Head: First dose: 84.4% Second dose: 77.9%
25. Kentish: First dose: 84.8% Second dose: 76.6%

Current as at November 29, 2021 | Source: health.gov.au

Adding extra protection for the state against the effects of Covid-19, 73 per cent of Tasmanians aged 12-15 have received a single dose vaccination and 60.43 per cent are fully vaccinated.

AMA Tasmania president Helen McArdle said the evidence shows that immunity drops over time so booster shots were essential.

“We need to learn to live with Covid over time and the higher the immunity the better,” she said.