As the state approaches 40 days without no new cases of coronavirus, Tasmanian Small Business Council and Hobart Airport chiefs say there is no reason to keep the borders closed.

“The outbreak in Victoria should not be used as an excuse to keep our borders locked and not to further ease restrictions here,” TSBC CEO Rob Mallett said.

TOURISM CHIEF SAYS STATE MUST OPEN BORDERS TO SOLVE JOBS CRISIS

“Tasmanian business is bleeding jobs right now due to our locked borders and strict distancing requirements – despite the fact that it’s now been over five weeks since the last new diagnosis of COVID in our state.”

Victoria has announced 17 new cases of coronavirus today and expects community transmission, as one million face a return to lockdown conditions and bans from interstate travel.

In Tasmania Mr Gutwein is expected to announce further rollbacks of restrictions on Wednesday and detail a plan for Tasmania’s border reopening on Friday.

He said stage three restrictions would be brought forward this week and the new rules will apply from midday on Friday.

“The aim will be to ensure we can allow freer movement of people and importantly some increases in gathering sizes to ensure we can continue our journey to return to a normal life,” Mr Gutwein said on Tuesday.

“The virus though is not eradicated ... what has happened in Victoria this week is of real concern, and I would ask Tasmanians to continue to follow the rules.

“This Friday I will provide an update on our borders. They obviously can’t stay shut forever. “It will be important to ensure that we have all of the appropriate safety nets in place to ensure we don’t see a situation that compromises the health of Tasmanians. I continue to take public health advice on this matter.”

Mr Mallet said the current restrictions were crippling businesses, especially restrictions limiting patrons in venues.

“At the moment we seem to be cowering under the doona hiding from a monster which isn’t under the bed, it’s safely on the other side of the moat,” he said.

“The four square metre per person rule is crippling business and should be immediately repealed.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL ARGUES BORDER CLOSURE IS ‘UNCONSTITUTIONAL’

“Travel bubbles with other safe destinations should also be urgently implemented – South Australia, Queensland, Northern Territory, and even New Zealand. There has been too much talk but not enough action about this.”

TALKING POINT: FIX BORDER FORCE AND HOBART’S READY FOR NZ FLIGHTS

Hobart Airport has backed calls for the consideration of a travel bubble model, accepting flights from safe locations domestically and in New Zealand.

According to Acting CEO Matt Cocker, a travel bubble with safe locations such as Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane and New Zealand makes sense and presents a great opportunity to throw suffering Tasmanian businesses a lifeline.

“Passengers have an appetite for flights and the airport is ready to go at short notice,” Mr Cocker said.

SMALL BUSINESS OWNER CALLS FOR STATE TO REOPEN TO TASMANIANS

“Airlines need to seriously consider resuming services on these routes as soon as possible – we must act now to avoid Tasmania being left off the map in the reopening of routes.”

Mr Cocker said setting a date to open domestically, while difficult, is a must but incorporating direct flights with New Zealand should also be part of any plan to maximise the benefit to Tasmania’s economy.

“We need to boldly pursue opportunities such as direct flights with New Zealand to help rebuild Tasmania,” Mr Cocker said.

“An economic study completed prior to the impact of COVID-19 found that international flights into Hobart, including New Zealand, could increase tourism spending by up to $120 million per annum, creating an additional 600 (FTE) direct jobs.

“In addition to reopening the domestic network, we should not miss the opportunity that direct flights with New Zealand offer the state.”

RESTRICTIONS HURTING BUSINESS OWNERS

THE easing of Stage 3 restrictions last week allowed Tasmanians much greater freedoms, including up to 80 people in licensed venues, 20 at sporting activities and no limits on how many people can stay in accommodation.

STATE GOVERNMENT URGED TO EASE COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

However businesses are still calling for restrictions to be eased further, including the four square metre rule.

Opposition Leader Rebecca White said businesses were “slowly dying” and Premier Peter Gutwein should follow Western Australia’s lead in adopting a two square metre rule.

Co-owner of Salamanca eatery Phat Fish James Faulkner said although restrictions had eased to allow 40 people in venues, the four square metre rule meant his cafe could only accommodate up to 20 at a time, which was not sustainable.

Mr Faulkner said just three out of 19 Phat Fish staff were eligible for JobKeeper and the rest had been let go, including two foreign workers who had been forced to return home to Brazil and Indonesia.

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The current restrictions are still in place for markets which must continue only selling fresh food and produce, and all businesses are required to have a COVID Safety Plan.

However, this is expected to change with Hobart City Council announcing a date to reopen the Salamanca Markets.

BORDERS REOPEN DATE SET BEFORE ANNOUNCEMENT

EARLIER this month the TT-Line opened bookings for interstate travellers coming to Tasmania, while airlines have flights scheduled from out of the state from the end of July.

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“For travel prior to September 1, Spirit of Tasmania can only accept bookings from: Tasmanian residents returning to Tasmania; Essential Travellers to Tasmania; Freight operators; and passengers travelling to the mainland from Tasmania,” the TT-Line’s website reads.

“Any non-essential travellers arriving in Tasmania between now and August 31 will be quarantined in a government facility for 14 days. Tasmanian residents arriving in Tasmania can quarantine in their principal residence if it is suitable.”

This comes as Mr Gutwein is expected to make further border announcements tomorrow.

The Premier previously shot down hopes of an immediate travel bubble with South Australia and the ACT however, after a grace period between major events and seeing no outbreaks, talks are progressing.

“It will be three weeks by this Saturday since the major rallies were held on the mainland and two weeks this coming Saturday since South Australia allowed 2500 people to go to a football match,” Mr Gutwein said.

“So the timing of this week in terms of both our restrictions being lifted and also in terms of our borders was important because it provided us with an opportunity to see what was occurring in the rest of the country. I make no apologies for that.”

He said he had a “very positive” conversation with the South Australian Premier regarding a Tasmania-South Australia travel bubble and intends to continue the conversation.

WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH INTERNATIONAL BORDERS

NEW Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters only two weeks ago was clamouring to open up international flights between Queensland and Tasmania.

However now the country has suffered an outbreak, with the number of cases increasing over the past week up to 350 probable cases and 10 confirmed cases.

Prior to the outbreak Mr Peters said Aussie states and territories that had successfully dealt with COVID-19 should have been given early access to the trans-Tasman bubble.

He said states such as Tasmania shouldn’t be held back by “slower movers” as they emerged from lockdown.

ARDERN FACES PRESSURE OVER PEOPLE LEAVING QUARANTINE

Mr Gutwein was hopeful of early access to NZ and said extra cash would be available to Hobart Airport for quarantine facilities.

“It’s pleasing to see New Zealanders as excited as we are about the prospects of a trans-Tasman travel hub between our iconic destinations once international restrictions are lifted,” Mr Gutwein said.

“We have been proactively pursuing this opportunity, working constructively with our New Zealand and Federal Counterparts along with the Hobart International Airport to enable this to happen once it is safe to do so.

NZ DEPUTY PM PRAISES TASMANIA’S CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE

“This includes working with the Hobart Airport in relation to the necessary quarantine facilities they would require, and last week we welcomed the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison’s confirmation that border force services would be available to the state should international flights eventuate.”

Under the City Deal the Australian Government will invest $82.3 million for border services including the AFP.

Approximately 20,000 visitors from New Zealand visit Tasmania each year, injecting around $28 million into our economy.

AIRLINE BOSS’S DRAMATIC PREDICTION FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

“I have no doubt that given Tasmania’s reputation for unique home grown experiences, direct international access to our state will only encourage more visitation and benefit our local economy,” Mr Gutwein said.

There are no plans for travel further abroad, Qantas has cancelled all international flights until late October, except for services to New Zealand.

The decision comes after federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said Australia’s border for overseas travel would likely reopen next year.

Qantas signalled flights could resume if travel between Australia and other countries opened up to travel.