North-West residents hit the shops as strict COVID-19 rules lifted

While residents were told to stay home unless it was essential they went out, shoppers flooded into the North-West CBD hours after restrictions lifted buying pillows, home furnishings and clothes.

NORTH-WEST residents have enthusiastically taken to a lift in COVID-19 restrictions with lines of shoppers snaking out of Kmart and other big-box retailers just 12 hours after the safety measures were eased.

Additional restrictions were placed on the region three weeks ago in the face of an outbreak of cases linked to Burnie’s public and private hospitals.

More than 140 patients and health care workers were infected, and almost 5000 people placed in quarantine in a bid to control the deadly outbreak.

Another cluster of positive cases is being closely monitored in the Smithton area, where more than 30 people are in quarantine with daily wellbeing and compliance checks being carried out.

No shortage of customers at Bunnings Burnie after the lifting of restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic on the North West Coast. Picture: Grant Wells

The extra restrictions placed on the region — from Latrobe down to the West Coast — saw all shops except grocery stores and chemists close, and schools re-open a week later than in the rest of Tasmania.

Police were still highly visible last weekend, pulling over vehicles and asking people the reason for their travel.

Deputy Director of Public Health Scott McKeown said the virus emergency in Tasmania was not over.

No shortage of customers at Bunnings Burnie after the lifting of restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic on the North West Coast.Picture: Grant Wells

“As the North-West comes out of extra restrictions due to a cluster, please remember the sacrifices they have made so it does not happen again,” Dr McKeown said.

But while Premier Peter Gutwein warned residents to not be complacent and continue to stay home unless it was essential they went out, shoppers flooded into Burnie’s CBD on Monday buying everything from pillows, home furnishings and clothes.

Burnie Mayor Steve Kons said he expected residents of his city would still proceed with caution.

But the sunshine soon brought people out in their hundreds, and shop staff were struggling to keep up with disinfecting measures between customers.

It is now four days since a positive coronavirus result was recorded in Tasmania.

But Mr Gutwein expects there to be more as ramped-up testing continues.

He said it was only the extra restrictions in the NW that had been lifted, and it was not “open slather”.

“If you don't need to leave your home, please stay there,” he said.

“The rules are still strict, and there will continue to be more of a police presence to ensure people understand that message.”

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