Tasmania Police brings back drug and alcohol testing after COVID pause

As the COVID-19 pandemic eases in Tasmania, police will be bringing back static roadside testing operations.

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ROADSIDE drug and alcohol testing is making its way back to Tasmanian roads.

From Monday, August 24, Tasmania Police will reintroduce static roadside testing operations across the state following the suspension of the process in March due to COVID-19.

Assistant Commissioner Operations Jonathan Higgins said significant COVID safe procedures would be in place to ensure the wellbeing of community members and police officers.

“Strict protocols around personal protective clothing and equipment and decontamination procedures will be followed at all times,” he said.

“While we have continue to undertake targeted drug and alcohol testing since suspending our static sites, the return to these static operations will further bolster our road safety enforcement activities across Tasmania.”

Assistant Commissioner Higgins said police would continue to conduct both high-visibility and covert road safety enforcement activities to help keep Tasmanian roads safe.

“We are committed to preventing people from doing the wrong thing on our roads, and motorists should know that police can and will be anywhere, at any time, in any vehicle.”

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