DAILY BLOG, March 27: How many Tasmanians in self-isolation?

Police are investigating 200 reports of people disobeying self-isolation directions as the state’s coronavirus infection tally reaches 47.

KEY POINTS:

• Tasmania has 47 cases of coronavirus, none from community transmission
• Around 5000 Tasmanians in self-isolation as police knock on doors
• The Premier has announced an extra $500m in economic stimulus
• Premier issues stern warning to those flouting isolation directives
• Government to take over UTAS apartments for quarantine

DON’T MISS: Your guide to everything cancelled, postponed or closed

1.37pm: HOW MANY TASMANIANS ARE IN SELF-ISOLATION AND WHAT ARE POLICE DOING?

AROUND 5,000 Tasmanians are in mandatory self-isolation after returning from interstate or overseas due to the coronavirus threat.

And police are investigating 200 reports of people disobeying self-isolation directions.

Director of Public Health Mark Veitch said police have started spot checks to make sure people were obeying with the rules.

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1.23pm: TASMANIANS HOPEFUL OF EXTRACTION FROM SOUTH AMERICAN LOCKDOWN

THE hopes of Tasmanian travellers stranded in South America have been raised, with news the Federal Government is facilitating charter flights to bring hundreds of Australians home.

But others overseas fear they will remain stuck there indefinitely, as nationwide lockdowns due to the coronavirus crisis restrict movement to airports.

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9.36am: NO BOOZE UPS IN PARKS, KIDS TO STAY HOME

Premier Peter Gutwein has condemned social media commentary and photos being posted of vehicles with interstate number plates at the Spirit of Tasmania terminal.

The Premier said caravans and vehicles that have been transported to Tasmania in recent days were owned by Tasmanians who were coming home.

Mr Gutwein said many Tasmanians housed caravans interstate and there were many students from the state living interstate with mainland number plates.

He described the social media frenzy as “unhelpful” and “designed to do nothing more than raise fears and concerns”.

“We will let Tasmanians come home,’’ he said.

“If they want to come home, we will ensure they can and they will go into self-isolation.

“We will not turn our back on our people.”

As of Monday, parents who are able to keep their children at home will be asked to do so.

Schools will remain open for children of essential workers and other children for whom learning at home is not suitable.

Meanwhile, with a fine weather forecast this weekend, Mr Gutwein warned people off congregating in groups.

“Don’t have barbecues with your mates or go and have a booze-up in the park. It’s not on,’’ he said.

9.15am: PREMIER’S PRESS CONFERENCE ON FIVE NEW CASES

7.10pm, yesterday: FIVE MORE CASES OF CORONAVIRUS IN TASMANIA

Five more cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Tasmania, the state’s Public Health Director says.

Two of the cases are children, two are aged in their 30s and one is in their 70s.

Three of the cases are from the state’s North and two are in the North-West.

All five were passengers on the cruise ship Ovation of the Seas.

It brings the state’s tally to 47.

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7.07pm, yesterday: SEX WORKERS SHATTERED AS INDUSTRY SHUTS DOWN

HOBART’s sex workers and exotic dancers have left financially devastated by the coronavirus crisis as lockdown rules and dwindling client numbers shatter their industry.

Men’s Gallery dancer Lana Evol, who typically works four nights a week at the Barrack St venue, is jobless now that strip clubs have closed nationwide.

“I figured this was coming,” she said.

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