Ban on aged care home visits on Mother’s Day about managing risk, Premier Peter Gutwein says

Tasmanians will not be allowed to visit their loved ones in aged care homes for Mother’s Day, but the Premier has revealed when visitor restrictions will be lifted — and it’s sooner than you might think.

TASMANIANS will not be allowed to visit their loved ones in aged care homes for Mother’s Day on Sunday, a decision Premier Peter Gutwein says is about managing the risk of coronavirus among the state’s most vulnerable.

A ban on visitation to nursing homes will be lifted at midnight on Monday, meaning families will not be able to spend the special day with their elderly relatives.

The restrictions have been in place since early last month and were designed to protect the people who were most vulnerable to the virus, Mr Gutwein said.

“I think the best Mother’s Day present that anybody could provide their mother is to keep them safe,’’ he said.

“I know that a lot of Tasmanians would have liked to have gone into the nursing homes on the weekend and provide both a present and spend time with their mother.

“I would ask Tasmanians to accept that the reason that the rules are in place is to keep their mother safe.”

Mr Gutwein said while it was unfortunate Tasmanians would not be able to visit their mothers in nursing homes, it was necessary to take a cautious approach.

“It’s based on managing risk, in terms of ensuring that we protect those that are the oldest and most vulnerable part of our population,’’ he said.

“The timing of this is designed to ensure that we manage risk.”

Premier Peter Gutwein speaks at the daily COVID-19 update on Monday 4th May 2020. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Mr Gutwein encouraged Tasmanians to pick up the phone or use another form of contact to get in touch with their mother on Sunday.

He said the winding back of the ban on visits to aged care homes would see state restrictions fall into line with a national approach.

The Premier said the transition would allow for visits but they would be managed by aged care homes, including screening of visitors.