Premier announces four-point plan to ease virus restrictions

Premier Peter Gutwein has announced his four-point plan to wind back coronavirus restrictions in Tasmania. But one key aspect of life won’t go back to normal for some time.

THERE are several conditions to easing back coronavirus restrictions in Tasmania.

The state’s borders will remain closed for “some time”, but the government has outlined the steps it will take before restrictions are eased.

In state parliament today, Premier Peter Gutwein said the government was taking an approach involving “four safeguards” before winding back the current rules.

PREMIER ANNOUNCES ‘HIGH-POWERED’ RECOVERY TEAM

“We have not shied away from making tough decisions to keep the community safe, and while some degree of social distancing is going to be a part of our way of life, at least until a vaccine or effective treatment is found, I am hopeful that in coming weeks we will be able to move, in gradual steps, back toward the Tasmania we know and love,” Mr Gutwein said.

READ MORE:

Analysis: How do you ask intelligent questions about a report you haven’t seen?

Tasmania’s hospital system was ‘underprepared’ for COVID-19 pandemic, says Labor leader

Ruby Princess ground zero for North-West outbreak

But interstate travel is off the agenda for now, he said.

“Our border restrictions will most likely remain as our strongest defence against the virus for some time,” Mr Gutwein told parliament.

“Opening our borders again to interstate travel will be a game changer, however, this will not occur for some time and not until we have real confidence that we can do so safely.”

Mr Gutwein said a major boost to testing would be the first step of the government’s plan, noting the arrival of another 10 million test kits in Australia.

“Tasmania will use the additional resourcing to ramp up testing capability and expand the testing criteria, particularly as we work to get on top of the current COVID-19 outbreak in the North West of the state,” he told parliament.

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein addresses the Parliament in a special sitting convened during Tasmania's COVID-19 crisis in Hobart, Thursday, April 30, 2020. (AAP Image/Rob Blakers)

“We currently have capacity to process around 500 tests a day, with surge capacity up to around 1000.

“This enhanced technology will effectively more than double our testing capacity.”

Developing “COVID-19 Safe Plans” in workplaces, businesses and meeting places would also need to take place before restrictions could be reduced, Mr Gutwein said.

“We will take a risk-informed approach to any relaxation, which may, for example, start with our green spaces – parks, reserves and recreation spaces, as well as public gathering numbers in particular circumstances,” he said.

WATCH THE ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT RESTRICTION ROLLBACKS

Mr Gutwein said virus tracing efforts would be enhanced, particularly through the uptake of the Federal Government’s COVIDSafe Tracing App.

And he said localised rapid response capabilities would also be enhanced.

“With increased testing, tracing, rapid response teams and COVID-Safe business plans, we will be well placed to begin stepping out of our current state and decisions will be able to be made with more confidence around the reopening of activities and businesses,” Mr Gutwein told parliament.

“There continues to be significant uncertainty, and the road to recovery will depend on a range of interrelated social and economic factors.

“These will include the need to live and work with the coronavirus pandemic until such time as a vaccine or treatment is available.”