Editorial: Ironing out discrepancy

As we head towards having zero active cases in the state, the Government should be open to easing rules on an individual basis, while keeping overall messaging clear and concise.

Patience is a virtue, and Tasmanians have been practising it in spades during weeks of COVID-19-induced lockdown and restriction measures.

It was a long stint under the tagline of “Stay home, Save lives” that was duly rewarded with the fast-tracking of stage two of Tasmania’s State Government-enforced restrictions.

FLU CASES PLUMMET AS A RESULT COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

The rush from 3pm on Friday of patrons and travellers keen to get back to our pubs and clubs and coastal towns was a welcomed sight, and hopefully accompanied by the sound of tills ringing loudly for businesses that have been doing it tough.

Twisted Lime bartender Jocelyn Greenwell and owner Joshua Wells cheers to reopening. Picture: Zak Simmonds

The latest steps to freedom are all part of the state’s three-staged approach to lifting of restrictions, dubbed our Roadmap to Recovery.

Stage three, which will allow gatherings of up to 100, and five visitors to aged care homes, is due to begin on July 13.

However, with mass gatherings held across the country on the weekend in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, many in breach of social distancing, and mixed messaging locally, patience is starting to wear thin as double standards emerge.

GYMS FIT FOR PURPOSE BUT ONLINE CLASSES TO STAY

Despite the detailed three-step plan, Premier Peter Gutwein and the Government have shown they have been willing to use discretion to relax rules sooner, when it is safe to do so, and in line with Public Health advice.

Last month, they allowed racing trials to start, more than three weeks earlier than initially slated, to ensure competitive race meets could resume from this weekend.

Then, following confusion last week over why religious gatherings were capped at 20, up to 40 attendees are now able to attend religious services and weddings — the same rules as for pubs and restaurants. But some obvious inconsistencies still exist, such as at large community sporting venues

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Trampoline athletes Amber French, 16, and brother Matthew French, 20, of Tinderbox, have been unable to train due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

For example, the four-level Kingborough Sports Centre in Kingston can host an unlimited number of school students at any one time but, once school’s out, the entire complex is limited to just 20 people.

This is making it difficult for community sports organisations, including basketball, netball and gymnastics groups, who say they were originally told facilities could be used by groups of 20, as long as they remained separate and observed social distancing.

Sport and Recreation Minister Jane Howlett said their concerns would be reviewed. As the pandemic has continued to evolve at a national, state and local level there will inevitably be inconsistencies and nuances. The easing of restrictions will and should rightly continue to be based on Public Health advice.

We do not want a situation where any of our hard work and patience is undone. But, as we head towards having zero active cases in the state, and with our borders remaining tightly restricted, the Government should remain malleable to sensible pitches to ease rules on an individual basis, while keeping overall messaging clear and concise.

This is in addition, of course, to our own personal responsibilities — to download the COVIDSafe app, to practice good hygiene, and to get tested if we are showing any symptoms.