Editorial: Tough call on border exemption lacks compassion for grieving Tassie family

With borders only just over a month away from fully reopening, Tasmania is at the stage of the pandemic where we should be showing compassion to families without hesitation. OUR SAY >>

THE heartbreaking case of a group of brothers denied the chance to see their dying ­father in Tasmania in his final days is yet another reminder of the many human costs of Covid-19.

It is without question that Tasmania’s tough border rules have been the biggest factor in the state staying virus-free for much of the pandemic.

But given we are now just over a month away from fully reopening our borders to vaccinated travellers, questions must be asked about the state’s approach to travel applications where there are legitimate compassionate reasons.

It would be difficult to find a more compelling set of circumstances that meet these criteria than those of brothers Sean and Fergus Prien.

As their father, Glen, lay in a palliative care bed in a Launceston hospital, the brothers did all they could to see their dad one last time.

Glen Prien and son Fergus in 2014.

But, because they live in Victorian local government areas considered a particularly high risk for Covid-19, it was not straightforward.

They both demonstrated to authorities they had been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and provided evidence of negative tests for the virus.

In addition, they submitted a letter from their father’s oncologist proving his health status as well as permission from the hospital for them to enter, subject to conditions.

Despite that, they were twice rejected even though they would have been willing to comply with any restrictions on their movement after they arrived.

All they wanted was to farewell their father. As he lay in a hospital bed with just days to live, their father desperately wanted to see them too.

The family was denied this in a decision that, in the context of where the state is at in its Covid journey, lacks compassion.

Sadly, he died last Friday, the final rejection coming just one day earlier.

Tasmania is approaching a 90 per cent first-dose vaccination rate and ­almost 80 per cent of the eligible population has been fully vaccinated.

On December 15, the state will reopen to mainland states (including ­jurisdictions currently declared high risk) and overseas travellers provided they are double-vaccinated and submit evidence of a negative test.

Sean Prien and his father Glen Prien at Sean's wedding in 2019.

If current interpretations are anything to go by, applications similar to Sean and Fergus Prien’s will be rejected until 11.59pm on December 14.

That’s not only lacking in compassion — you could argue it’s illogical, too.

The brothers have missed their chance to visit their father one last time.

But it’s not too late for authorities to reconsider allowing them (with restrictions in place) to attend his funeral.

It’s the right thing to do.

If this family’s situation is not considered to be exceptional circumstances, it is difficult to see what is.